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A TREATISE 



OX 



RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE 



Its prior*, tfftitaes, anir JMantap. 



B Y 



EEY. CHABLES BUCK. 

AUTHOR OF THE THEOLOGICAL DICTIONARY. 



'• Tribulation Avorketli patience, and patience experience, and experience 
hope : and hope rnaketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in 
our hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." — Bom. y. 3-5. 



b*YRie* 



if 



:*y -27f 



, NEW-YORK- 

BOARD OF PUBLIC A.T ION 

OF THE 

REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH, 
337 Broadway. 



1855 




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1355, by 
EEV. THOMAS 0. STEONG, 

On behalf of the Board of Publication of the Eeformed Protestant Dutch 

Church in North America, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of 

the United States for the Southern District of New- York. 



Sofjit &. (Krag, 

PRINTER AND 3TEREOTYPER, 
95 Sc 97 Cliff, cor. Frankfort. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The Board of Publication of the Reformed Protestant Dutch 
Church are happy in being able to present to the Christian public 
the valuable Treatise of the Rev. Charles Buck, on Religious Ex- 
perience. The name of the author of this work is of itself a sufficient 
recommendation of it. Pew, if any of the numerous persons, who, in 
these modern days, have treated upon the various subjects of practi- 
cal religion, have gained a higher reputation, or enjoyed a greater 
degree of favor among the professed followers of Christ than the 
writer of this volume. His works have obtained a large circulation, 
and been instrumental of very great good. His " Theological Dic- 
tionary" has passed through numerous editions both in England and 
in this country. It has been regarded by many as a standard on 
both doctrinal and practical subjects, as well as on matters of ecclesi- 
astical history, and as almost indispensable in every well-selected 
theological library. 



11 ADVERTISEMENT. 

The present work is on a subject deeply interesting to the true 
Christian, and is well adapted to be an important help to him, not 
only in ascertaining the operations of the Spirit of God upon his 
heart, but in meeting the various changes, and prosecuting the pleas- 
ing though often difficult course of the divine life. It may indeed 
be objected to as being defective in logical arrangement. The sub- 
ject is not treated with the analytical precision which we have a 
right to look for in a well digested dissertation upon an important 
religious topic. But we are to remember that the author's design 
was not to produce a work of speculative theology, or to discuss the 
mere doctrine or science of Religious Experience, but to furnish a 
plain, practical treatise adapted to the wants and circumstances of 
the simple-hearted and conscientious believer in Christ. And henco 
he has arranged his subjects in accordance with the different states 
and stages of the divine life. In consequence of this, his work may, 
moreover, be chargeable with some repetition of sentiment and per- 
haps of language. This was in a measure unavoidable from the plan 
of discussion adopted by the author. But whatever may be the lite- 
rary defects of this treatise in these respects, they are amply com- 
pensated by the simplicity, spirituality, and adaptedness to the reli- 
gious life of the Christian for which it is so highly distinguished. It 
is eminently practical in its whole bearing and tendency, and so 
plain that the most unlearned Christian can comprehend and profit 
by it. And yet at times it is so suggestive that the wisest mind can 



ADVERTISEMENT. Ill 

find in it a mine of deep and delightful thought. It honors in a very 
high degree the word of God, for it abounds in scriptural quotations 
and allusions. » On every question the appeal is to the law and to 
the testimony, and so admirably are the instructions of the sacred 
volume interwoven with the religious experience of the believer 
that he feels as if God himself was indeed speaking to him. ISFor is 
there any stage of the divine life, nor scarcely any situation in which 
the Christian may be placed in which he can not here find something 
suited to his circumstances. If he be yet but a babe in Christ, here 
is the milk of the word presented in its purity and sweetness for his 
nourishment. If advanced in the divine life, here is the strong meat 
of the Gospel yet further to invigorate his graces and perfect him in 
holiness. If he is struggling with temptations, or encompassed with 
difficulties, here is much to encourage and animate him. If he is 
oppressed with afflictions and trials, the precious promises of the 
God of truth and the abundant provisions of the covenant of grace 
are here offered for his comfort and support. Nay, whatever his ex- 
perience, whatever the dealing of the Lord with him, here he can 
find much to instruct, to guide, to strengthen, and to cheer him. 

And in the present day, when there is such a tendency to mere 
formal religion — when so much stress is laid on rites and ceremonies, 
while vital piety is neglected, if not decried — we deem a work so 
practical, so evangelical, so scriptural, on the important subject of 
experimental religion, most appropriate. The circulation of every 



IV ADVERTISEMENT. 

such treatise is well calculated to advance the cause of vital godli- 
ness. In the confident hope that multitudes will be benefited by 
this little work, as thousands have already been, and in humble reli- 
ance upon the grace of God to make it the means of glorifying His 
name, and promoting the spiritual growth, stability, and comfort of 
His people, the Board have issued it from the press. 
In behalf of the Executive Committee, 

THOMAS M. STRONG-, Chairman. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

On the Nature of Religious Experience in general, , 1 



CHAPTER II. 
The Advantages of Experience, ..... 30 

CHAPTER III. 
The Young Christian's Experience, » « 53 

CHAPTER IY. 
Experience of the Christian in Middle Age, . < 15 

CHAPTER Y. 
Distressing Experience, 93 

CHAPTER YI. 
On Happy Experience, 118 



VI CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER VII. 

PAGE 

Remembrance of Past Experience, 153 



CHAPTER Yin. 
On the Relation op Experience, . . . . • . 1*75 

CHAPTER IX. 
The Aged Christian's Experience, ..... 194 

CHAPTER X. 
Dying Experience, . 212 

CHAPTER XI. 
Advice respecting Experience, 236 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Evil of the Want of Experience, . . . 267 

12* 



A TREATISE 



ON 



RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE NATURE OP RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE IN GENERAL. 

The religion of Jesus Christ forms a % most beauti- 
ful and complete system, worthy the investigation of 
the wise, the admiration of the righteous, and the 
reverence of all. It is not, however, a system form- 
ed for the mere purpose of speculation. There are 
many grand objects in nature which strike us with 
wonder, many specious schemes in philosophy which 
court our attention, and many productions of art 
which gratify our curiosity ; but which, after all, 
leave us without that aid which our present imper- 
fect state requires. But this divine scheme not only 
claims our regard, as consisting of every thing great 
and sublime, but is admirably adapted to our wants 
and circumstances as fallen, helpless creatures. It is 



8 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 

not, therefore, an object, the beauty of which merely 
presents itself to the mind, but contains blessings, 
promises, and prospects, suited to the heart : hence 
arise the necessity and propriety of experience. 
The report of these blessings, or the intelligence that 
provision is made for guilty man, can be of no avail 
without a real participation of them. We must not 
perceive only, but we must feel; and feeling, of 
course we experience. 

Nothing, however, is more common than to de- 
spise what is termed religious experience. Infidels 
sneer, the cold-hearted condemn, and the ungodly ri- 
dicule it. Being unacquainted with it themselves, they 
suppose it is all the work of imagination, or the heat 
of enthusiasm, in others. But it seems not a little 
remarkable, that while the term is admitted, when 
applied to those parts of science which are founded 
on sensible trial, it should be rejected when applied 
to religion ! Why should not experimental divinity 
be equally as reasonable as experimental philosophy ? 
Indeed, we must be at a loss to conceive what real 
religion is without experience; for, however excel- 
lent it may be as a theory, we know it is nothing 
except it engage the affections, and regulate the con- 
duct. It is true, it does not refuse the exercise of 
the understanding ; it does not discard investiga- 
tion ; but it calls with more ardent motives to purity 
of principle, devotedness of mind, lively emotions, 
and useful exertions, than it insists on a pursuit of 
mere speculative notions or knowledge, which do 



NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 



not at all interest the feelings, or impress the heart. 
And, indeed, what is the intelligent mind, the acute 
reasoner, the learned critic, the man that can collect, 
judge, review, arrange, and repeat, if he be without 
experience, when compared to him who, with a 
common understanding, enters with all the energies 
of his soul into the very spirit and enjoyment of di- 
vine truth ? The former beholds the beautiful object, 
discerns its different features, and admires its just 
proportions ; but the latter does more — he actually 
possesses it as his own, lives under its iufluence, and 
is transformed into its delightful image. 

It must not, however, be understood that there 
can be genuine experience without knowledge, al- 
though there may be knowledge without experience. 
The truly religious are not left in a state of igno- 
rance: they are said "to be called out of darkness 
into God's marvellous light ;" " to have the eyes of 
their understanding enlightened, that they may know 
what is the hope of their calling, and what the 
riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." 
1 Peter ii. 9. Eph. i. 18. Before there can be any 
experience, therefore, spiritual life and light must 
be communicated ; for a dead man might as well be 
supposed to feel, as for any one to have a gracious 
experience without being regenerated by the power 
of divine grace. 

Here, then, we may form some idea of the mind 
and character of the Christian, whose diversified ex- 
perience we are about to describe. He is one who 
1* 



10 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 

is illuminated by the Divine Spirit, his heart is reno- 
vated, and deeply impressed with a sense of the im- 
portance of divine things : he rests not in the cold 
assent of the understanding, neither is he carried 
away by strange and enthusiastic notions. He is a 
happy example of light and love ; he perceives the 
excellency and suitability of spiritual objects, pos- 
sesses an ardent attachment to them, and feels their 
divine energy on his soul : and hence it is that his 
religion is of an experimental nature. 

Now, to prove that this is not the effect of a weak 
mind, or a disordered fancy, as many suppose, we 
need only appeal to the following scriptures, all 
which have a reference to religion, as some- 
thing to be experienced as well as to be known. 
" Taste and see that the Lord is good. Eat, 
O friends ; drink abundantly, O beloved. Ho, 
every one that tliirsteth, come ye to the waters ; 
and he that hath no money ; come ye, buy and eat; 
yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and 
without price. Christ in you the hope of glory. He 
effectually worketh in them that believe. Ye are 
manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, min- 
istered by us, written not with ink, but with the 
Spirit of the living God ; not in tables of stone, but 
in fleshly tables of the heart. 55 Ps. xxxiv. 8. Cant. 
v.l. Isa.lv. 1. CoU.27. 1 Thess. ii. 13. 2Cor.iii.3. 

But before we proceed, it is necessary to re- 
mark, that we shall not confine the term experience 
to the enjoyment only of the blessings of the Gospel, 



NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 11 

but shall take it in a more enlarged sense, as refer- 
ring to all that knowledge which the Christian de- 
rives from his various trials and circumstances, and 
all those feelings occasioned by his being in a state 
of warfare with the world, the flesh, and the devil. 
And, first, we shall begin with what he feels from 
the view he has of his own heart. This he finds to 
be, as the Scripture represents, fl deceitful above all 
things, and desperately wicked." Jer. xvii. 9. He 
does not boast, as he once did, of an innocent nature, 
a sincere intention, a good heart ; but confesses him- 
self a sinful creature, unworthy of the divine favor, 
and, without the interposition of sovereign mercy, 
exposed to endless ruin. He now takes cognizance 
of the secret workings of his mind : he views with 
self-abasement the pride, envy, vanity, worldly 
mindedness, and folly of his corrupt nature. He la- 
ments over the sinful desires, cold affections, wander- 
ing thoughts, and evil passions of his soul, and, with 
the apostle, exclaims, " 0, wretched man that I am, 
who shall deliver me from the body of this death ?" 
Eom. vii. 24. He clearly perceives that the picture 
of fallen humanity, as drawn by the divine hand, 
" that every imagination of the thought of the heart 
is only evil, and that continually" (Gren. vi. 5,) is as 
true as it is awful and affecting. Nor does the re- 
generating influence of divine grace entirely destroy 
these corruptions. On the contrary, in proportion 
as he receives light, and increases in divine know- 
ledge, the more he is led to see his own sinfulness. 



12 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 

Indeed, the all- wise God does not discover to him all 
the depravity of his heart at once, as this would sink 
him into despair. He feels, however, more and more 
of it as he proceeds. He is still deceived by its vain 
pretensions, bewildered by its perpetual inconstancy, 
and distressed by its evil propensities. " Woe is 
me," is his language, u that I sojourn in Mesech, 
that I dwell in the tents of Kedar." Ps. cxx. 5. 
He sustains a painful conflict, mourns that he serves 
his Lord with such little fervor, struggles hard with 
his powerful inbred foes, labors for a greater con- 
formity to the divine will, and prays that he may still 
persevere in the midst of all that opposition which 
arises not only from outward evils but internal de- 
pravity. 

As he advances in his journey heavenward, he 
experiences the vanity, mutability, and emptiness of 
the world. His understanding being enlightened, 
he sees the excellency of and his will being renew- 
ed, he possesses a taste for, those divine things which 
are so far superior to all earthly good. He has, in- 
deed, the same natural feelings in common with 
others ; is a creature of the same wants ; requires the 
same supports, and is capable of the same enjoyment 
of temporal blessings, as those around him ; yet he 
is taught to view all these things in a different light 
to what they do who place all their felicity in them. 
While they make them their portion, he gratefully 
considers them as the little comfortable accommoda- 
tions by the way ; while they idolize them on the 



NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 13 

one hand, or abuse them on the other, he uses them 
with caution, and passes on. He remembers that he 
is in a world that can not constitute his happiness ; a 
world where all things are fading away; a Avorld 
never designed to be his perpetual abode, or final 
happiness. Yea, he has been convinced, by his own 
experience, of the impropriety of placing confidence 
in creature comforts, or sublunary good. Like 
others, he has been tempted at times to sit down by 
the way ; to listen to the fascinating but deceptive 
song of the prosperous worldling ; and to imagine 
that yet celestial flowers were to be gathered on 
earthly ground. But, like Jonah, he has no sooner 
looked with complacency on his gourd, and beheld 
with pleasure the comforts around him, than he has 
espied a worm at the root, and heard the voice of 
Providence commanding him to depart. I find then, 
says the Christian, that this is a wilderness, where 
the bitter streams are continually flowing ; a world 
deceitful in its prospects, uncertain in its enjoyments, 
and fallacious in its promises. Here (continues he) 
how soon are the finest schemes frustrated ; the lofty 
superstructure, raised by care and industry, dashed 
to pieces ; the most lovely objects unexpectedly torn 
away ; happy connections dissolved, and the most 
promising appearances exchanged for disappoint- 
ment and sorrow ! And shall I rest here ? Here, 
among ruins, tempests, robbers, and a thousand 
evils ! Can there be any thing in the complaints of 
the living, the groans of the afflicted, the uneasiness 



14 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 

of the rich, the disappointments of the multitude, 
and the wickedness of man, to invite me to take up 
my abode here ? Eather, Lord, enable me to go 
forward ; and, while I use the world without abusing 
it, keep my eye on that inheritance which is incor- 
ruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. 

Another thing which belongs to the Christian's 
experience is his view of sin, as that which defiles 
his nature, and which he considers so offensive in 
the sight of God. Men in general, indeed, acknow- 
ledge not only that sin has entered into the world, 
but that its tendency is evil and destructive. But 
this is nothing more than the bare assent of the un- 
derstanding to the fact. The belief of it makes no 
impression ; they still go on in their sin. Conscience, 
reason, law, gratitude, are all sacrificed for the pur- 
suit of it ; and indeed it forms one of the most awful 
sights in the universe to behold a feeble, defenceless, 
miserable creature, as man is, constantly insulting 
the Almighty, while, at the same time, he is con- 
vinced he is doing wrong. Such, however, is his con- 
duct ; and as he knows by experience the forbear- 
ance of God, he endeavors to reason himself into 
the belief that God will always forbear, and thus, 
" because sentence against an evil work is not speed- 
ily executed, therefore the heart of the sons of men 
is fully set in them to do evil." Bcc. viii. 11. But 
sin is not thus indulged; nor divine goodness thus 
abused, by the righteous. The sacred flame of di- 
vine love having been kindled in his heart, every 



NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 15 

thing which, appears to him as inimical to the will of 
God, fills him with horror. Convinced of the holi- 
ness of the divine nature, the spirituality of the law, 
and the evil there is in sin, he beholds it with the 
utmost detestation. He knows, too, that it is 
sin that interrupts his peace, damps his joy, and 
causes him to go mourning in the way. This is the 
burden he is laboring under from day to day ; and 
though, he is made free from it as to its reigning 
power, yet it remains, and so taints all his works, so 
enervates his spiritual powers, so retards his progress, 
as often to make him doubt his interest in the love 
of God. Here it is that the real Christian is distin- 
guished from the boasting pharisee, the formal pro- 
fessor, and the deceiving hypocrite. These are 
characters w^ho, though they visit the temple of the 
Most High, engage in external acts of devotion, and 
call themselves the disciples of Jesus, yet, alas ! never 
feel sin to be their burden, never lament over it in 
secret, nor indeed ever see its defiling nature. But 
the convinced mind — that mind which is truly bro- 
ken and contrite — is overwhelmed with shame, and 
at times scarcely dares look up to the Almighty; so 
powerful is the conviction, and so just is the view 
which it has of sin. Hear the confessions of the true 
penitent: "Woe is me, I am undone. Unclean, 
unclean. I have sinned : what shall I do unto thee, 
thou Preserver of men ! I am a sinful man, 
Lord. To me belongeth confusion of face. My sin 
is ever before me. I have sinned, and am no more 



16 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 

worthy to be called thy son." Hear his prayers: 
"Take away mine iniquity, Create in me a clean 
heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Let not 
sin have dominion over me. Pardon mine iniquity, 
for it is great. Have mercy on me, Lord." Hear 
his determinations : " I will behave myself wisely in a 
perfect way. I will walk within my house with a 
perfect heart. I will run the way of thy commands. 
I will love thee, Lord, my strength, and my Be- 
deemer." Isa. vi. 5. Job vii. 20. Luke v. 8. Hos. 
xiv. 1. Ps. li. 10. Ps. cxix. 133. Ps. xxv. 11. 
Ps. ci. 2. Ps. cxix. 32. 

But the experience of the Christian would be sad 
indeed, did he not find something adequate to his 
wishes, and calculated to support his mind under 
these views of himself, of the world, and of sin. 
Here it is, then, that he is led to embrace the Gospel 
as the only true remedy. Condemned by the law, 
oppressed with a sense of his depravity, sensible of 
the imperfection of his own righteousness, he is 
taught by the Divine Spirit to look to Jesus as his 
refuge. Here his burden is removed, his fears sub- 
side, his hope brightens, and his soul is set at happy 
liberty. Here, reposing under the shade of the cross, 
he admires and addresses his Saviour: " Blessed Im- 
manuel, thou art the object of my regard: it is thy 
blood that cleanses from all sin : to thee I look for 
salvation : on thee I depend for my present happi- 
ness and future safety. Here let me dwell for ever, 
viewing thee as my great High Priest : while I live, 



NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 17 

let me live to thee ; and when, called away from this 
world, let me join that celestial throng who shall 
sing the song of Moses and the Lamb for ever." 
Here we see how appropriate, how delightful the 
Gospel is to the true Christian. It is his strength 
in weakness, his light in darkness, and his greatest 
joy under all the opposition arising from his various 
enemies. He receives Jesus as his wisdom, right- 
eousness, sanctification, and redemption. To him 
the Saviour appears as altogether lovely. He glo- 
ries in his cross, experiences the love of God as shed 
abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost, and abund- 
antly rejoices in the finished work, and complete 
atonement made by his Lord and Saviour. 1 Cor. 
i. 30. Eom. v. 5. Gal. vi. 14. 

But while he thus embraces the remedy the Gospel 
affords, and is dependent on free grace alone for sal- 
vation, yet he does not think himself at liberty to 
neglect the divine commands, and make Christ a min- 
ister of sin. Another part of his experience, there- 
fore, is that in which he not only sees but feels the 
happy effects of divine truth upon his own mind. 
He finds that the sacred oracles are not to be receiv- 
ed into the memory merely, but treasured up in the 
heart, as matter for meditation, preventions fron dan- 
ger, directions in difficulty, and motives to obedience. 
With the sacred writers he can say, "I have esteem- 
ed the words of his mouth more than my necessary 
food. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might 
not sin against thee. O, how I love thy law ! I re- 



18 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 

joice at thy word, as one tliat findeth great spoil. 
Thy words were found, and I did eat them ; and thy 
word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine 
heart." Job xxiii. 12. Ps. cxix. 11. Jer. xv. 16. Thus 
the holy Scriptures are made pleasant and profitable 
to the true Christian. They purify his mind, refine 
his taste, warm his heart, curb his passions, exalt his 
affections, and direct his steps. It is no wonder, there- 
fore, that the Bible is his companion — he can not live 
without it. It is the extensive field in which he 
roams ; where grow the fragrant flowers, where flow 
the refreshing streams, where he breathes celestial 
air, and where the most enlarged prospects animate 
and delight his soul. Here, after the toils and labors 
of the day, he repairs and recruits his strength. Here 
he forgets the world, enters into the solemn thought 
of his immortality, and aspires after that bliss which 
his God and Saviour hath promised to bestow. 

But he is not insensible to the favors of a benign 
Providence. Though a traveller to a better country, 
he knows how to value the blessings of this. Indeed, 
he is the only character who uses them as they ought 
to be used — while he relishes the comforts of life, he is 
led to enjoy God in them. " While bad men snatch 
the pleasures of the world as by stealth, without 
countenance from God, the proprietor of the world, 
he sits down openly to the feast of life under the smile 
of approving Heaven." Far from wearing the coun- 
tenance of an ascetic, or influenced by the principle of 
a misanthropist, he considers himself placed as in a 



NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 19 

delightful temple, where all the beauties of nature, 
and the bounties of Providence, all tend to reflect the 
glory of his sovereign Lord. Here, while he muses, 
his mind brightens, his heart expands ; his soul burns 
with celestial ardor, while he exclaims, "0! how 
great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for 
them that fear thee ! How excellent is thy loving 
kindness, O God ! Bless the Lord, my soul, who 
crowneth thee with loving, kindness and ten- 
der mercies, who satisfieth thy mouth with good 
things ; bless the Lord, my soul." Ps. xxxi. 19. 
Ps. ciii. 1, 2. 

While the mind is thus employed it would be un- 
necessary to attempt to prove its happiness. It is 
impossible it should be otherwise ; but it may be ne- 
cessary to remark, that what we have already observ- 
ed are not the only sources of its felicity. The mind 
has access to the Supreme Being through his works 
and word; but it does not consist in a cold contempla- 
tion of his existence — a mere belief of the grandeur 
of his nature and perfections. Believers are said to be 
partakers of the divine nature ; they bear the divine 
image ; are brought to love what God loves, to avoid 
what he has prohibited, and to acquiesce with his sov- 
ereign will. What, then, is the consequence of this 
union? The Scripture shall speak for us: " Truly 
our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son 
Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called us to 
the fellowship of his Son. He that keepeth his 
commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him ; and 



20 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 

we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which 
he hath given us." 1 Jo. i. 3. 1 Cor. i. 9. lJo.iii.24. 
To those who never had the divine glory in view, 
who never saw the beauty of holiness, and who never 
enjoyed the divine presence, this may appear as un- 
intelligible mysticism ; but it really makes a part of 
the Christian's experience. Communion with God, 
in which the soul is lifted above the world, filled 
with sublime joys, and fired with the prospect of the 
everlasting enjoyment of his favor in a future world, 
surely cannot be unworthy of the pursuit of a rational 
creature. If the Divine Being is to be our portion 
and our happiness hereafter, nothing can be more 
reasonable than a desire to enjoy something of this 
divine pleasure while by the way. But we will not 
now stay to oppose the arguments of the unbeliever, 
or attempt to make that clear to others which only 
experience can explain. Let me turn to you, be- 
liever, and ask, is not fellowship with God a reality? 
Have you not found some of your happiest moments 
when your mind has been led out to God ? And 
though uninterrupted communion has not been your 
lot, nor will be the lot of any while here below, yet 
have you not rejoiced with a joy unspeakable and 
full of glory ? How light then has been the burden, 
which before you thought you could not sustain ! 
How insignificant has the world appeared in your 
view ! How have his smiles alleviated your pain, 
borne you up under accumulated difficulties, and 
sweetened all the crosses and troubles of life ! Ah ! 



NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE, 21 

how have you then welcomed all the oppositions of 
your enemies, forgotten the discouragements of the 
way, and pressed with redoubled ardor towards that 
city which hath foundations, whose builder and 
maker is God ! 

But it is not to be supposed that all these feelings 
are possessed, and this happiness enjoyed, in a state 
of inactivity and unconcern. We know that the Al- 
mighty can impress the minds of his creatures at any 
time without the use of means ; but we know, also, 
that he does not in general do so : for as, in the na- 
tural world, he hath ordained the sun by which we 
are warmed, created air by which we breathe, and 
provides food by which we are supported ; so, in the 
moral and spiritual world, he hath appointed means 
through which he communicates blessings of a spirit- 
ual nature to his people. The utility of these means 
the Christian finds by his own experience. The 
throne of grace he knows to be an important and 
suitable institution. Here he comes with all his 
wants, trials, and exercises of mind. He opens his 
heart, and makes known his requests to his heavenly 
Father. He implores the Holy Spirit to remove his 
ignorance, console his mind, and instruct him in di- 
vine things. He finds it good to draw near to God. 
His mind is often relieved, his faith increased, and 
his soul rendered alive to its immortal interests. 
Whatever others do, he finds he can not live with any 
degree of pleasure without giving himself up to God 
perpetually ; and though the frame of his mind 



22 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 

varies, yet both duty and interest prompt him to en- 
gage in this delightful exercise. This spirit of pray- 
er we find characterizing all the saints of God. I 
will not let thee go (said Jacob), unless thou bless 
me. that thou wouldst bless me indeed, prays 
Jabez. I will order my cSuse before him, and fill 
my mouth with arguments, cries Job. From the end 
of the earth will I cry unto thee, says David. Gen. 
xxxii. 26. 1 Chron. iv. 10. Job xxiii. 3. Ps. lxi. 3. 
But it would be superfluous to multiply instances. 
The throne is erected, the Saviour waits to hear ; the 
Christian sees his privilege, and, leaving the world 
and its care, he retires, he pleads, he praises, he con- 
secrates himself to the Lord ; and thus his spiritual 
strength is renewed, and his soul comforted by the 
way. 

How pleasant is the Sabbath, also, to the true 
Christian ! He finds it to be the day of rest, of joy, 
of instruction, and of praise. While others profane 
it by idleness and dissipation, business and pleasure, 
luxury and wantonness, he desires to spend it in the 
service of his Lord and Master. After the cares of 
the week, and the toils of business, with what happy 
sensations does he hail its return ! How glad is he 
when, after the slumbers of the night, he opens his 
eyes, and recollects it is the day which the Lord hath 
made ! With what pleasure can he sing, 

Welcome, sweet day of rest, 

That saw the Lord arise ; 
Welcome to this reviving breast, 

And these rejoicing eyes ! 



STATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 23 

With the return of this day a thousand pleasing 
reflections occur to his mind. It calls to his recol- 
lection the final completion of the works of creation, 
and the triumphal resurrection of his Lord and 
Saviour. It reminds him of the great kindness of the 
Almighty in making such a merciful provision for 
his creatures. He hears the heavenly voice, saying, 
Soul, come up hither ; bid adieu to the anxious cares 
of the world for a while, and rise into ardent con- 
templation and blissful thought. It calls him to 
worship, to hold communion with his Lord, and to 
devote himself with increased zeal to his service. It 
teaches him to anticipate an eternal sabbath of rest, 
where he hopes to enjoy the divine presence, and be 
employed in celebrating divine praises for ever. 
Whatever others think, and however others neglect 
this day, he finds it by experience, so truly advan- 
tageous and interesting, that, if even there were no 
command for its observance, he should still think it 
his happiness to devote a seventh part of his time 
more especially to the service of God. It is not a 
weariness to him, as it often proves to those who 
have no delight in spiritual exercises. He finds it 
to be a day of pleasure, and of profit too. From 
the instructions he receives, and the happiness he 
experiences on this day, he is better prepared to go 
forth and maintain the conflict with his enemies. 
He is enabled to carry a savor of divine things 
into his business through the week. It fortifies 
him against surrounding evils, and raises him in 



24 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 

some measure above the world, even while lie is 
in it. 

From public ordinances lie derives much, benefit. 
He visits the sanctuary not for the sake of curiosity, 
but for the purpose of instruction ; not as one influ- 
enced by custom, but as one desirous of having his 
heart impressed, and his devotion excited. It is to 
him the house of God, and the gate of heaven. He 
can truly join the Psalmist, and say, One thing have 
I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I 
may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of 
my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to 
inquire in his temple. How amiable are thy taber- 
nacles, O Lord of Hosts ! Blessed are they that 
dwell in thy house ; they will be still praising thee. 
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand : 
I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my 
God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Ps. 
xxvii. 4. Ps. lxxxiv. 4, 11. Here it is that he re- 
pairs with willing feet. Seated in the divine temple, 
his mind is filled with reverence; he is humbled 
under a sense of his own imperfections. He now 
views the world through a proper medium ; all the 
turbulent passions of the soul are hushed into 
silence ; the guilt that he had contracted gradually 
diminishes as the cross is presented to his view; 
truths that he had almost forgotten are recalled to 
his mind ; the powers which lay almost dormant are 
awakened ; " serious meditations suggested, good 
dispositions raised, and the heart adjusted to a com- 



NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 25 

posed and tranquil frame." When we thus consider 
what invaluable blessings the Christian derives from 
hence, it is no wonder that we hear of expressions 
of strong attachment to the house of God, and such 
holy lamentations of grief when deprived of attend- 
ance on public ordinances. "As the heart panteth 
after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 
God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living 
God: when shall I come and appear before God? 
My tears have been my meat day and night, while 
they continually say unto me, Where is thy God ? 
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul 
in me ; for I had gone with the multitude, I went 
with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy 
and praise, with a multitude that kept holy day. 
God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee : my 
soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, in 
a dry and thirsty land, where no water is, to see thy 
power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the 
sanctuary." Ps. xlii. 1, 2, Ps. "lxiii. 1, 2. 

In singing the praises of the Almighty, the Christ- 
ian is often supported and refreshed. The remem- 
brance of past mercies, present enjoyments, and the 
hope of future good, furnish abundant matter for his 
gratitude. The sacred song of praise is therefore 
congenial to his feelings. Pleasure arises in his soul 
as he celebrates the goodness of his Saviour. And 
if he have not the vocal powers, as many have, yet 
his heart is attuned, and he can cheerfully join in 
the sentiments inspired by the grateful recollection 
2 . 



26 NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE, 

of divine mercy. To the lively Christian there 
is no part of divine worship more agreeable or pro- 
fitable than this, in which praises are sent up to 
heaven from the congregations of the saints. Here 
he experiences much happiness. For a while he 
forgets his cares ; his heart is touched with a sense 
of love divine ; he imagines himself in a little 
heaven, and would fain sing himself away to ever- 
lasting bliss. But it is not in the public assembly 
only that the Christian finds happiness in this de- 
lightful work. The place of his abode resounds 
also with cheerful strains, and his family becomes a 
society of harmony and peace. The hours of retire- 
ment likewise are employed in this heavenly work. 
Even here the Christian passes away the moments 
pleasantly by singing the praises of his God. The 
mind, abstracted from the world, and mounting up 
to heaven, catches the celestial fire, rejoices in the 
divine favor; and thus retirement is sanctified by 
communion with him. 



The calm retreat, the silent shade, 
With prayer and praise agree, 

And seem by thy sweet bounty made 
Eor those who follow thee. 



There, if thy Spirit touch the soul, 
And grace her mean abode, 

0, with what peace, and joy, and love ? 
She communes with her God ! 



NATUBE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 27 

There, like the nightingale, she pours 

Her solitary lays, 
Nor asks a witness of her song, 

Nor thirsts for human praise." 

Thus the Christian finds happiness in this heavenly 
exercise, whether in the public assembly, the family, 
or in retirement. The saints in all ages, more or 
less ; have found it useful and animating ; and the 
Scriptures abound with testimonies to their warm 
feelings and grateful strains. "The Lord is my 
strength and song, and is become my salvation. Thy 
statutes have been my songs in the house of my 
pilgrimage. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord 
for ever: while I live will I praise thee, Lord. 
I will sing praises unto my God while I have 
any being." Is. xii. 2, Ps. cxix. 54, Ps. lxxxix. 1, 
Ps. cxlvi. 2. 

The ordinance of the Lord's supper is found to be 
exceedingly pleasant and profitable to the Christian. 
Here he commemorates the dying love of his 
adorable Saviour. He considers himself as brought 
into his banque ting-house, whose banner over him 
is love. He sits down with pleasure to the feast. 
He looks to Calvary by faith, and on the cross 
beholds this delightful motto, "The blood of Jesus 
cleanseth us from all sin." He finds it good to be 
here. It is the place of refreshment by the way. 
All taken up with the Saviour, he thus meditates : 
"Blessed Lord! and was it for me that thy blood 
was shed ? for me, so unworthy, so vile, so sinful ! 



2d NATUBE OF KEL1GI0US EXPERIENCE. 

Was it for me thou wert crowned with, thorns, 
nailed to the tree, and pierced to the heart ? Was 
it for me that thou didst bear such indignity, suffer 
Such pain, and at last die such an ignominious death ? 
Was it for my sins that thou wast deserted of the 
Father, insulted by men, tormented by Satan, and 
left by all? Was it for me that thy holy soul was 
so exceeding sorrowful, thy face marred, and thy 
character vilified ? Ah ! Lord, was it for me that 
thy sufferings were so bitter, and thine agony so 
great as to sweat, as it were, great drops of blood? 
Then let me be thine. Thou hast a just claim to my 
body, my soul, my powers, my time, my all. What- 
ever I forget, let me never forget thee. To thee, 
Saviour, I desire to dedicate myself. On thy merits 
I depend. Thy presence I implore. that I may 
be thine ! May I never glory but in thy cross ! 
There may mine eye be fixed ; there may my hopes 
centre! There may I live, there may I die, and 
there may I rest for ever I" 

Thus we have briefly considered the nature of 
Christian experience in general. Those experiences 
which are either of a singularly distressing or happy 
kind we shall have to consider in some @f the fol- 
lowing pages. Our aim in this chapter has been to 
give an outline of Christian experience unattended 
with any remarkable circumstance, and which may 
be applicable to Christians at large. And now, my 
dear reader, in what has been said, can you trace 
any likeness of your own experience ? Have you 



NATURE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 29 

any reason to believe that you are called out of 
darkness into God's marvellous light ? Can you say, 
that whereas you were once blind, now you see ? 
Do you feel the corruptions of your heart, and 
lament under a sense of your unworthiness ? Have 
you been convinced of the vanity and emptiness 
of the world? Is sin the object of your hatred? 
and have you fled to Jesus as your only Saviour, 
and felt the Gospel to be the power of God to your 
salvation through the energy of the Divine Spirit ? 
These are important questions ; for except you 
have known something of these things by your own 
experience, you are yet a stranger to truth, and ex- 
posed to danger. Speculative notions, unattended 
with this, will be. of no utility. A clear perception, 
a retentive memory, a fine genius, are excellent 
qualifications ; but they will carry no man to heaven. 
The heart must be changed, the affections raised to 
God, as well as the mind informed, or there can be 
no true happiness. Our Lord does not say, except 
ye be intelligent, except ye be endowed with ex- 
traordinary talents ; but except ye be converted, ye 
cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt, 
xviii. 3. 



30 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 



CHAPTEE II. 

THE ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

There are very few who are disposed to doubt 
the advantages of experience. The ignorant novice, 
the deluded fanatic, the rash adventurer, may some- 
times treat it with contempt ; but if we turn to the 
more sober part of society, we shall find it to be 
justly appreciated, and constantly revered. Its voice 
is heard, and its dictates attended to, in almost every 
department of life. Hence the judge, the statesman, 
the general, the merchant, the master, the mariner, 
are all respected in proportion to their experience. 
Their persons are courted, and their decisions re- 
ceived, while their sentiments become the standard 
of public opinion. Conjecture may be ridiculed, 
but who can argue against experience ? Who is not 
willing to be led by it? "Who is there but must 
prefer it at all times, if indeed they desire to keep 
in the paths of prudence and safety ? 

As in the common concerns of life, so in religion, 
it Is experience that is more advantageous than bare 
theory. The world is a tempestuous sea ; and with- 
out experience we are liable to be driven about by 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 31 

every wind, and at last daslied to pieces on some 
dreadful rock, or swallowed up in its tremendous 
waves. If we ask those wlio have advanced far in 
the voyage of human life, they will tell us what they 
have gained by it, and the evils to which they were at 
first exposed for the want of it. It is true, say the}^, 
we have suffered much ; but our sufferings have been 
profitable. " For tribulation worketh patience, and 
patience experience, and experience hope ; and hope 
maketk not ashamed, because the love of God is 
shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which 
is given unto us. They inform us, that though no 
chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but 
grievous, nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the 
peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them which 
are exercised thereby. 77 Eom. v. 5, Heb. xii. 11. 

Jesus Christ himself, "the Captain of our salva- 
tion," it is said, " was made perfect through suffer- 
ings. And though he were a Son, yet learned he obe- 
dience by the things which he suffered ; and being 
made perfect, he became the author of eternal salva- 
tion unto all them that obey him :" and again, saith 
the apostle, "in that he himself hath suffered, being 
tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." 
Heb. v. 8, 9, Heb. ii. 18. He was one, therefore, 
of eminent experience ; he knew all the feelings of 
distressed humanity ; and his dignity never ap- 
peared greater, nor did his character ever shine 
more illustrious, than in the midst of pain, of con- 
flict, and of blood. If he, therefore, gained by ex- 



32 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

perience, shall not we derive advantage from the 
same source ? 

"I have learned by experience," said one ; and it 
must be confessed that the lessons thus obtained are 
likely to be more impressive and more lasting than 
what can be gained in any other way. They require 
but little exercise of the mind to recollect them. 
They are not like notions which are received into 
the head, and which soon are forgotten. These 
make an impression upon the heart, awaken the 
feelings, and very often form the character. 

Of the advantages of religious experience we may 
observe, in the first place, that it produces wisdom 
and prudence. The Christian is often, in his first 
outset, possessed of the most lively emotions ; his 
zeal carries him forward, and rises superior to his 
knowledge. He runs into extremes, and sometimes 
incurs disgrace. But as he advances his knowledge 
increases: after he has met with a few winds and 
storms he becomes more prudent. His zeal is more 
temperate. He views objects with greater attention. 
He begins to see his own ignorance, and to feel his 
own weakness. At first, like a traveller in the val- 
ley, his views were confined ; but as he ascends the 
mount the prospect widens, and objects innumerable 
press upon his sight. 

From the experience he has of the treachery of 
his own heart, the vanity of the world, and the 
temptations of the wicked one, he becomes more 
cautious and self-diffident. He sees the propriety 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 33 

of those divine injunctions, "Keep thy heart with, 
all diligence. Watch thou in all things. Come out 
from among them, and touch not the unclean thing. 
Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." 
Prov. iv. 26, 2 Tim. iv. 5, 2 Cor. vi. 17. He has 
found, by painful experience, the consequence of an 
unwatchful spirit. The world has assumed a variety 
of appearances to deceive him ; he has been led, 
perhaps, to listen to her promises, and been deceiv- 
ed by her smiles. The path from duty to worldly 
pleasures has been strewed with flowers; the en- 
trance has been enchanting, but the labyrinth in 
which he has soon found himself was hid. Satan 
also has insinuated, that there could be no harm in 
the connections, the pursuits, and the amusements of 
the world ; that occasional deviations are excusable ; 
that many things arise from constitution, from infirm- 
ity, and from circumstances, which are unavoida- 
ble. In several ways has he thus been attacked, 
and finding, by his own experience, the folly of lis- 
tening for a moment to the corruptions of his heart, 
the voice of the world, and the suggestions of Satan, 
he is brought to be more vigilant, and to keep a 
watchful eye in every situation, and under every 
circumstance. He sees the justness of that declara- 
tion, "that he who trusteth in his own heart is a 
fool." Prov. xxviii. 26. He trembles for himself, 
prays for divine support, and learns to place more 
confidence in God as his only safety. Thus it was 
with Peter. He was a true Christian, a courageous 
2* 



S4z ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

man, and fall of love to his Saviour. " Though all 
should be offended (says he) I will not. I will go 
with thee to prison and to death." But how fallible 
is human nature, and how little did Peter know of 
himself! This same Peter denied his best friend, 
and at once became guilty of ingratitude, lying, in- 
constancy, and blasphemy. Great indeed was his 
fall ; but he arose, he recovered, he wept, and re- 
turned. But what did he gain by this experience of 
the deceitfulness of his heart ? No more do we hear 
him boasting, no longer does he confide in his own 
strength. Behold him as he goes forth to preach to 
the Gentiles ; nothing of self, nothing of human 
glory, nothing of presumption appears. Behold him 
in his writings. What cautions, exhortations, pre- 
cepts abound, all tending to show how careful, how 
steady, how circumspect, we should be ! 

But while the Christian thus learns to distrust him- 
self, he is convinced of the necessity of placing his 
confidence more in God. In looking back he sees 
hoAV many dangers he has escaped, how often his 
heart has deceived him, and how incapable he is of 
keeping himself. He implores that wisdom which is 
profitable to direct, and that support which alone can 
preserve him from falling. He knows that no past 
enjoyments, no talents he possesses, no extent of 
usefulness or long standing in the church will insure 
future safety without a constant communication of 
divine grace ; and though a recollection of past expe- 
rience be sometimes profitable, yet he can not presume 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 35 

upon it. In the course of his pilgrimage he has seen 
many a bright sun, that hath shone all the day, at 
last obscured, and set in a cloud. Human nature he 
has found to be too fickle to gain his implicit confi- 
dence, and human events too precarious to allow him 
to take up his rest here. The changes he has so 
often witnessed among men, the sudden disappoint- 
ments which have taken place where all was thought 
secure, the wonderful alteration of circumstances, 
where every thing was imagined to be fixed, have 
taught him to look beyond sublunary objects. " The 
son (saith the prophet) dishonoreth the father, the 
daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter- 
in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies 
are the men of his own house. Therefore I will look 
unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salva- 
tion." Mic. vii. 6, 7. 

It is no small consolation to him that this part of 
his experience brings him to act in unison with the 
divine command. The Bible is a book admirably 
adapted to the circumstances of the Christian in his 
passage through this vale of tears. Hence it is he 
is led to consult it by the way. The road is often 
rugged ; he finds it difficult to bear up, and to bear 
on through many discouragements. But, in looking 
into the sacred volume, he there reads, " Trust ye 
in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is ever- 
lasting strength. Trust in the Lord with all thine 
heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. 
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall di- 



36 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

rect thy paths." Isa. xxvi. 4, Prov. iii. 5, 6. These 
he finds to be suitable directions. Convinced of his 
own weakness, unable to sustain his own burden, and 
knowing the uncertainty of all human things, he 
considers it as the most invaluable privilege to be 
under the guidance of Him who doeth all things well. 
With what pleasure therefore it is he goes to God ! 
and though he knows he is too wise to be informed, 
and so immutable that he can not be persuaded ; yet, 
as prayer is a means which he himself hath appoint- 
ed for the consolation and relief of his people, he 
opens his heart, and pours out his requests before the 
divine throne. More especially from the experience 
he has had of the vanity of the world and the evil of 
sin, does he pray for divine grace to keep him. " Or- 
der my steps in thy word, and let not iniquity have 
dominion over me. Keep me as the apple of thine 
eye, and hide me tinder the shadow of thy wings. 
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe. Cause me to 
know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up 
my soul unto thee." Ps. cxix. 183, Ps. xvii. 6, Ps. 
cxliii. 10. Here then we see that experience teaches 
the Christian to be more prayerful and dependent, 
more docile and submissive, more cautious and de- 
voted. 

To the above-mentioned effects of sound experi- 
ence we may add that of humility. Who is he 
that is lofty and conceited, who imagines he knows 
every thing, who supposes he is superior to others, 
who looks down with contempt on those about him, 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 37 

who assumes to himself airs of importance, and de- 
cides with a magisterial tone ? Is it the experienced 
Christian ? Is it he who has seen the world, who has 
examined without haste, and determined without 
rashness ? Is it he who has wrestled hard with fears, 
conflicted with sin, and been constantly engaged in 
spiritual exercises ? No, verily. It is the novice ; it 
is the superficial ; it is he who can converse about 
experience without having it — he whose mind is so 
contracted that, only seeing a little, imagines he com- 
prehends the whole. He who hears much, talks 
more, but thinks not at all. No, reader, it is not 
the experienced, but the inexperienced, that is proud. 
Humility is gained in the school of experience. 
He who knows what human nature is, who has 
watched the operations of his own mind, and the 
corrupt propensities of his heart — he wl}0 is taught 
by the divine Spirit,' who often contemplates on the 
glorious perfections of Jehovah, and the unspeaka- 
ble excellences of his Son, finds no cause for pride. 
He is humbled in the dust. His thoughts, his af- 
fections, his powers, his performances, are all so con- 
taminated, that he loathes himself. He can not pray, 
but he is humbled at the thought of his imperfection. 
He can not hear, but he laments how little he profits. 
He can not read, but he complains how little impres- 
sion is made. He can not do anything as he would. 
All this humbles him. " Though I were perfect," 
said Job, " yet would I not know my soul : I would 
despise my life. If I justify myself, my own mouth 
would condemn me." Job ix. 21. 



38 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

But what advantage here? I answer, great in 
every respect. Happy experience, that conducts to 
the valley of humility ; for here no complaints are 
heard, no ambitious desires manifested, no grievances 
magnified; here no envy stings, no jealousy rages, no 
unhappiness reigns. Here dwell peace and content ; 
here gratitude and love adorn the countenance with 
pleasant smiles, and fill the heart with unspeakable 
joy. Here the soul, found in her true situation, wel- 
comes all the revolutions of life without dismay; 
and at last meets death itself without fear. 

But this leads us to consider Christian experience 
as teaching us moderation in our desires and pursuits. 
The Christian has seen the folly of feeding the imagi- 
nation with schemes of grandeur and opulence. If, 
in the course of Providence, his path be made 
smooth, apd his table overflow with temporal com- 
forts, he is thankful ; but elevated situations, exten- 
sive fame, or great power, are not the objects of his 
pursuit. He knows that felicity does not consist in 
the goods of life; that they who have them in the 
greatest abundance are not the most happy. World- 
ly prosperity, as it is called, is often rather the seat 
of anxiety than the place of ease. Thorns grow on 
that mount as well as roses ; yea, there the storm first 
arrives, and there, too, the danger is the greatest. 
What, then, it is asked, is the Christian a man of dif- 
ferent feelings from others ? Has he not the same 
senses to be gratified, the same hopes to indulge, the 
same prospects to allure ? Truly, in many respects 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 39 

he has, and, being a man of like passions with, oth- 
ers, there have been seasons in his experience when 
these hopes have been excited, and he has acted too 
much like others. Forgetting, for a moment, the no- 
ble end in view, he has been led aside by some ob- 
ject on which happiness was speciously painted; but, 
eagerly grasping it, alas! he has found it to be all 
nothing. The light has expired, and the Christian 
left to find his way back in darkness and guilt, ex- 
claiming, 

Wretch that I am, to wander thus, 
In chase of false delight ! 

But has he gained nothing by this? Yes, surely. 
From his own experience, he has found the vanity 
of ambition and a restless spirit, and that modera- 
tion is best in all earthly pursuits. Now it is we hear 
him saying, " Eeturn unto thy rest, O my soul. To 
whom should I go but unto thee? Thou art my 
portion, O Lord. While many say, who will show 
us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy 
countenance upon me. Behold I come unto thee, 
for thou art the Lord my God." Psalm cxvi. 7, 
Psalm cxix. 57, Psalm iv. 6, 7, Jer. iii. 22. 

From what he has suffered by afflictive dispensa- 
tions, he has learnt the lessons of patience and resig- 
nation. He knew nothing of these graces till he 
came to be tried; for "the trial of our faith worketh 
patience." He finds it useless to murmur : discon- 
tent only " turns the rod into a scorpion." He is 



40, ADVANTAGES OF EXPEBIENCE. 

led from his affliction to his sin, from his sin to his 
knees. "It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth 
him good. He is a ' Sovereign ; he must work his 
own will, he must accomplish his own plan. It is 
wrong for a worm to struggle under the foot of God, 
for a rebel to accuse his Sovereign, for a delinquent 
to criminate his Judge. It is good, therefore, that a 
man should both hope and quietly wait for the sal- 
vation of the Lord, for he does not afflict willing^, 
nor grieve the. children of men." 1 Sam. iii. 18, 
Lam. iii. 26, 33. 

Another advantage which the Christian derives 
from experience is that of candor and forbearance ; 
and by candor we are not to understand that dispo- 
sition of mind which leads a man to view all actions 
alike, and to speak equally favorable of all. No ; 
the true Christian will frown upon vice wherever he 
finds it : he will not spare reproof whenever it is 
necessary, nor be ashamed of that singularity which 
causes him to differ from the multitude, to whom sin 
appears as trifling, and by whom it is only consid- 
ered as an unavoidable infirmity. He knows the 
weakness of man, he feels the seeds of sin within 
himself, and dare not boast of what he is, nor can he 
tell what he may he. He recollects that a Samson, 
the strongest man, was overcome ; a Solomon, the 
wisest man, acted foolishly; and David, one of 
the holiest of men, manifested the greatest depravity. 
He finds there is much truth in the observation, 
" that there is nothing so silly that some wise man 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 41 

has not said, and nothing so weak that some prudent 
man has not done." And, indeed, the sacred Scrip- 
tures justly observe, "that there is not a just man 
upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not." Eccl. 
vii. 20. 

There are some unfeeling minds, however, that 
are ready to condemn all who do not come up to 
their standard ; and there are others, not less culpa- 
ble, who, blind to their own infirmities, seem to take 
delight in magnifying those of others. But these. 
are not experienced Christians ; these know little of 
themselves, and less of that religion which breathes 
nothing but kindness and charity. The experience 
of the energy and power of the Gospel of Christ 
teaches him "to bear long, to think no evil, to hope 
all things, and to endure all things." 1 Cor. xiii. 7. 
Faults are not magnified into crimes, occasional de- 
viations are not considered as wilful transgressions, 
ignorance or mistake is not misconstrued into vice. 
No ; the Christian learns to attend to the rule of the 
apostle, who says, "If a man be overtaken in a 
fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in 
the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou 
also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, 
and so fulfil the law of Christ. We, then, that are 
strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and 
not to please ourselves." 

From what he has seen of the prejudices of men, 
the distorted medium through which objects are 
viewed, the credulity of some, and the obstinate 



42 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

rashness of others, lie has learned to be cautious as 
to his decisions respecting his fellow creatures. The 
representations to which he has sometimes listened 
have proved exaggerated. In the moments of pas- 
sion, things have been carried into extremes. Inci- 
dental circumstances, he has seen, have been seized 
to magnify the evil, and to apologize for opposition. 
From these things he has learned prudence, and 
determined not to be too precipitate in his own con- 
clusions. 

ISTor will the experienced Christian be a bigot. 
On first entering the Christian world, he might have 
imagined that there could be little difference between 
persons who are travelling the same road, and belong- 
to the same family, and have the same end in view. 
But a closer examination of the human mind, a more 
extensive acquaintance with things, teaches him that 
minds, as well as countenances, are not exactly 
alike; that the early association of ideas, prejudice, 
custom, the temperament of the human frame, and 
the mode of education, have caused a considerable 
difference of sentiment as to many things, though 
there may be an agreement as to the main object on 
the whole. What then ? Does he pronounce ana- 
themas on all who differ from him ? Does he repro- 
bate with more zeal than knowledge the conduct of 
those who do not see exactly as he does ? Verily, 
however he might be thus disposed at first, from 
want of a clear view of things, he now finds that 
others must have the same liberty which he takes 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 43 

himself. But it may be asked, has not a bigoted 
spirit been as prevalent among Christians as among 
others ? Has not persecution, and every species of 
cruelty, been exercised by Christians one towards 
another ? Alas, there is too much ground for the 
charge! But then it must be inquired, what kind 
of Christians these were? Were they, in general, 
men influenced by the spirit of Christianity, whose 
minds were illuminated by the Spirit, and whose 
hearts were expanded by the love of God ? Certain- 
ly not. They were Christians in name only, con- 
tending only for externals, without knowing any 
thing of the power and efficacy of the religion of 
Christ. He who is a true disciple, who knows any 
thing of the truth experimentally, will feel a liber- 
ality of soul which a bigot knows nothing of. He 
will not condemn a whole community for the worth- 
lessness of a few individuals, nor will he form an 
uncharitable opinion of others, because they differ 
from him in non-essentials. As he travels along, he 
beholds different companies in the same road, each 
distinguished by their little peculiarities ; but as 
they are going to the same home, where all shall 
meet and unite, he feels an attachment to them, and 
wishes them prosperity in the name of the Lord. 

But, among all the advantages of Christian ex- 
perience, that of hope is not the least. This is one 
of those graces which the apostle Paul emphatically 
declares experience produces. We all know what 
pleasure is derived from hope, how friendly it is to 



44 ~ ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

man, how often it sweetens human life, how it bears 
up the mind under its heaviest burdens. Hence it 
is " that there is no temper so generally indulged as 
hope ; other passions operate by starts on particular 
occasions, or in certain parts of life ; but hope begins 
with the first power of comparing our actual with 
our possible state, and attends us through every 
stage and period, always urging us forward to new 
acquisitions, and holding out some distant blessings 
to our view, promising us either relief from pain, or 
increase of happiness." If hope, in general, be so 
valuable, how useful must it be when well founded! 
how peculiarly advantageous to the Christian ! 
From the experience he has had of the divine muni- 
ficence, the many interpositions of divine Providence 
and the fulfillment of the divine promises, his hope 
is strengthened, and he looks forward with a degree 
of cheerfulness and confidence. " Having obtained 
help of God," he exclaims, "I continue unto this 
day. He has led me forth in a right way. Why, 
then, should I doubt of future support ? Will he 
conduct me part of the way, and abandon me at 
last? That be far from him! God is my refuge 
and strength, a very present help in trouble. There- 
fore will not I fear, though the earth be removed, 
and though the mountains be carried into the midst 
of the sea." Acts xxvi. 22, Ps. cvii. 7, Ps. xxiii. 6, 
Ps. xlvi. 1, 2. Thus experience feeds hope, and 
hope produces courage, stimulates to exertion, and 
fills the soul with pleasure. How sweetly does it 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 45 

whisper to the Christian, as he passes along, Persevere, 
Christian : strength shall be given equal to thy 
day. Temptations may discourage, darkness may 
intimidate,, and opposition may alarm ; but these are 
all under the power of thy Sovereign Guide. He 
knows the way; he can support, yea he will not 
leave nor forsake thee. The mountains shall become 
a plain, and crooked things straight, as they have 
already been ; all shall work together for good : and 
at last you shall arrive at that house not made with 
hands ; eternal in the heavens. Thus " hope is as 
the anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and 
entereth into that within the veil. We are saved 
by hope. We- have for an helmet the hope 
of salvation. "We rejoice in hope, and by hope we 
are purified, even as he is pure." Heb. vi, 19, Bona, 
viii. 24, 1 John iii. 3. 

We may observe, lastly, that nothing promotes 
usefulness more than experience. It both creates 
the desire of usefulness, and actually fits for it. 
Who so desirous for the spread of truth as those 
who have seen its beauty and felt its power ? Who 
so anxious to point miserable sinners to the Saviour, 
as those who have been pardoned and saved by him ? 
Who more willing to declare his grace, and exalt his 
name, than those who have tasted his goodness^ and 
experienced his support ? When Jesus made him- 
self known to the woman of Samaria, she left her 
water-pot, and fled to the city, saying, " Come, see 
a man which told me all things that ever I did. Is 



46 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

not this the Christ ?" When he was presented at the 
temple, Anna, a prophetess, coming in that instant, 
gave thanks, and spake of him to all them that looked 
for redemption in Jerusalem. When Andrew first 
found the Messiah, he carried the happy tidings to 
his brother Peter, and was the instrument of bring- 
ing him to Jesus. John iv. 26, Luke ii. 38, John i. 
Thus grace is communicative : it expands the heart, 
it calls forth the powers to action, it fills the soul with 
the purest benevolence, and makes its possessor truly 
concerned for the welfare of his fellow-creatures. 
He who has been convinced of the danger to which 
he was exposed, the astonishing love of Christ in 
rescuing him from it, the happy state into which he 
is brought by his unmerited favor, and the everlasting 
felicity he expects to enjoy, can not but be fired with 
the most generous desires that others may participate 
the same blessings. Who are cold hearted ? Who 
are unfeeling? Who are unconcerned about the 
salvation of mankind, but those who have never 
seen the importance or experienced the happy effects 
of the blessings of the Gospel? But the ex- 
perienced Christian is alive to their best interests ; 
and his benevolence is not only of the best kind, 
but is of the most extensive nature. It is not a sect 
he wishes to flourish : it is not a party he desires to 
exalt. It is not a. single neighborhood, his native 
place, or the country to which he belongs, he is 
anxious should enjoy these blessings only; but his 
good wishes encircle the globe, and with the Psalm- 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPEKIENCE. 47 

ist lie can say, "Let the whole earth be filled with 
his glory. .Amen, and amen." Psalm lxii. 19. 
It is here, then, that we can account for what is im- 
properly called the unnecessary activity of some 
Christians. To the world, indeed they appear as 
enthusiastics. They are considered as troublesome, 
intruding, and desirous of exalting themselves. 
They are often represented as characters, who, by 
an improper forwardness, dismember society, produce 
discord in families, and injure individuals. But 
these charges are groundless. The fact is, having 
tasted that the Lord is gracious themselves, they 
ardently long that others may know him too. They 
are grieved at the wickedness which abounds. They 
well know what enemies men are to themselves, and 
that the religion of Jesus only can produce true 
happiness. It is any wonder, therefore, if, stimu- 
lated by a sense of duty, and prompted by the feel- 
ings of compassion, they sometimes warn the sinner 
of his danger, endeavor to convince him of his folly, 
airl point out to him the way of salvatfon? If a 
man who had long labored under a dreadful malady 
at last found relief in some able physician, would he 
be ashamed to speak of him ? — rather would he not 
with the warmest emotions recommend him to 
others in the same situation ? Or, if he had lost his 
way, and was kindly directed by one who was well 
acquainted with it, would he not recommend him as 
a sure guide ? Or if any of us had received multi- 
plied and unmerited favors from some kind and 



48 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

beneficent friend, should we not speak highly of his 
character, and recommend him as the refuge of the 
needy, and the support of the distressed ? Nor let 
it ever be wondered at, therefore, if Christians should 
so strongly recommend Him to whom they are 
entirely indebted for all the blessings they enjoy, 
and all the comforts they have ever received. Let 
not such zeal be accounted madness, such benevo- 
lence ostentation, nor such gratitude weakness ; but 
rather the genuine evidences of a mind perceptive of 
duty, and a heart powerfully impressed with a sense 
of divine goodness. 

But experience actually qualifies for usefulness. 
Who are our best philosophers, our best artists, our 
best legislators, our best divines, but those who have 
had the greatest experience ? It is this which qua- 
lifies men for the discharge of the most important 
offices. To, these are committed affairs of the great- 
est magnitude, and this with the greatest propriety. 
For how soon would that vessel be exposed to the 
most imminent danger which has an inexperienced 
pilot at the helm ! How soon would that army be 
put into confusion who only had an inexperienced 
general at its head ! How soon would that country 
be involved in ruin who possessed no other than an 
inexperienced statesman as her guide ! But, on the 
contrary, where experience dictates, therein general 
safety is enjoyed. Let us apply this to the expe- 
rienced Christian. How well qualified is he to be 
useful ! with what certainty can he speak of the na- 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPEDIENCE, 49 

lure of sin, with what feeling can he expatiate on 
the vanity of the world, with what propriety can he 
enlarge on the operations of the human heart! How 
capable is he of recommending the best things to 
attention ! With a noble boldness, he can contend 
for the faith once delivered to the saints. With 
energy, he can exhibit the Saviour to the lost sin- 
ner, as his only righteousness. He can afford con- 
solation to the distressed, instruct those who are 
ignorant, and be the instrument of restoring the 
wandering backslider to his happiness and his God. 
Thus even the private Christian is qualified for use- 
"fulness, and shines as a light in the world. 

But how peculiarly useful is experience to hirn 
who is in a more public situation ! What an advan- 
tage is it to the minister of the Grospel ! It enables 
him to* touch every tender string of the human 
heart, to adapt himself to the cases, trials, and feel- 
ings of his different auditors ; to lift up them that 
fall, to comfort the feeble-minded, to sympathize 
with the afflicted, to bear with the weak, and succor 
the tempted. What a difference do we discern in 
the discourses of those who deliver merely what 
they have been taught, but what they do not feel ! 
How cold is the address of the mere speculator and 
inexperienced, when compared with his which comes 
warm from the heart, and is the fruit of his own ex- 
perience ! How useless, flat, and insipid is the one, 
how animated, appropriate, and impressive is the 
other ! The one resembles the mere way-post that 
3 



50 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 

directs the stranger, while itself is unmoved; the 
other may be compared to a living guide, who actu- 
ally becomes a companion in the road, and animates 
and supports as he proceeds. 

From the views we have thus taken of the advan- 
tages of experience, we may leaxn what respect is 
due to it. How many evils would the young and 
inexperienced be saved from, were they to be obe- 
dient to the advice of those who have been long in 
the way ! How many have to lament that they 
have followed their own inclinations, in preference 
to the wise counsels of the more experienced ! Con- 
sult, therefore, my young readers, those of longer 
standing than yourselves. Be willing to give up 
your judgments to those which are superior. It is 
an honor to sit at their feet, and receive their in- 
structions ; but it is vanity to think you know so 
much, that they can not inform you. They have 
seen the world in the various appearances it has 
assumed. They have watched the operations of 
Providence. They have been out in the storm, and 
been tossed about by the dreadful tempest. They 
can tell where the dangerous places are : the rocks 
that are to be avoided, and the course which should 
be » pursued. To them, therefore, under God, must 
you resort. They can direct in difficulty, support 
in danger, and be the instruments of saving from 
impending ruin, Learn to court their company, 
listen to their advice, and never be ashamed to own 
your inferiority, nor to bend to their decision. 



ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE. 51 

Let the experienced, also, learn to make use of 
their experience for the good of others. It is with 
this as it is with every other valuable treasure — it 
ought to be employed for the benefit of society at 
large, or individuals in particular. To gain much 
and impart nothing, is disgraceful to humanity, and 
inconsistent with religion. A general relation of 
experience to every one would be highly injudicious. 
Pearls are not to be cast before swine. But there 
are occasion^ when the Christian may make use of 
his experience with great advantage, and be the 
happy mean of deterring from the prosecution of 
rash and dangerous steps ; or, on the other hand, of 
encouraging others, whose minds have been per- 
plexed with a variety of distressing fears. Expe- 
rienced Christians, be useful in this respect. Tell 
what you know, that your younger brethren may 
be benefited. How pleasing it is to see you sit 
down with a little company of inexperienced around 
you, and to hear you say, " I have travelled some 
time in the way. In yonder place I was surrounded 
with enemies ; but the interposition of providence 
rescued me from danger. As I passed along that 
valley, I found help from the recollection of the 
divine promises. In ascending the hill of difficulty, 
I was wearied and exhausted, but happily my 
strength was renewed. Sometimes I have been 
tempted to step aside to gather a flower that grew 
on the bank, but I have found it only impede my 
journey, and for a while lost sight of the path in 



52 ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIENCE 

which. I was going. The clouds have sometimes 
alarmed me, but they have ultimately caused me to 
mend my pace. Loiterers, speculatists, apostates, 
and others, have often wished to hold converse, and 
dispute about the road, but they are all to be avoid- 
ed : they harass the mind, and lay stumbling-blocks 
in the way. I have beheld objects at a distance 
which have appeared terrific and dismaying; but, 
on a nearer approach, I have experienced them to 
be rather adding to the comfort of the way than 
otherwise. The nights have sometimes been long, 
and the winds and storms have been violent, but it 
has made the light and the calm more acceptable. 
On the whole it is pleasant to remark, that they 
who commit all into the hands of the Almighty, 
shall find all well in the end ; that there is nothing 
to be dreaded so much as a deviation from the path 
of duty, and that little is to be feared while we are 
in it." 

Such is the testimony that experience can bear to 
the faithfulness of God, and such testimony should 
be borne, for the sake of those who have to travel in 
the same road. Much might be said on this subject, 
but we must reserve it for another place in this 
work, where we shall consider it more at large, [see 
the 8th and 11th chapters.] But before we come to 
this part, it will be necessary, as we have now open- 
ed the nature and advantages of experience in gene- 
ral, to enter into more particular experiences of true 
Christians. 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 53 



CHAPTER III. 

THE YOUNG- CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

Although all true Christians belong to the same 
family, have the same common parent, are travelling 
the same way, and have the same object in view, 
yet they are not all of the same stature, possess the 
same strength, nor bear the same complexion. 
Hence it is that the sacred Scriptures speak of " lit- 
tle children, young men, and fathers in Christ." 
There are some who have but just begun to breathe 
in the spiritual world, and can scarcely discern spirit- 
ual objects; there are others who, in addition to 
life, possess vigor, who are grown up to manhood, 
have obtained more knowledge, and are still making 
progress to a higher state. But there are others 
who have arrived to considerable eminence in the 
divine life, whose judgments are matured, whose 
views of things are extensive, and who, by long ex- 
perience, are capable of teaching others also. Thus 
we see it is in religion as in all the other works of 
the Divine hand. There is a gradual process to be 
observed. Every thing could be dope instantane- 
ously by the power of the Almighty, were it his 



54 THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

good pleasure. But we see it is otherwise. The 
work of creation was not executed in a day. The 
system of providence is not the work of a moment, 
and the still more grand work of redemption was 
not to be accomplished at once. If we turn also to 
the works of art, every thing that is grand and mag- 
nificent, beautiful and permanent, has been the work 
of time, deliberation, and a regular process. The 
stately buildings that astonish the beholder, the 
governments of the earth instituted for the happi- 
ness of its inhabitants, the volumes of learning and 
information that adorn our libraries, the curious 
machines formed for the convenience of man and 
the prosperity of commerce, all have been carried on 
in this way. So the most important of all blessings, 
the religion of Jesus, as to its operations on the hu- 
man mind, is progressive. It may be argued, how- 
ever, that regeneration is an Instantaneous act ; but, 
admitting that it is, and that spiritual life is commu- 
nicated at once, yet that is no objection to the prin- 
ciple we are now contending for. Life is communi- 
cated to the child, but that does not constitute its 
manship. It does not immediately unfold all its 
powers, and arrive to maturity at the same instant. 
So in the family of Christ, life may be given, but the 
Christian may be a babe: he may be weak and 
ignorant, and it must be a work of time before he 
can advance to be a young man and a father in 
Christ. 
To this agrees the language of the apostle Peter, 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPEKIENCE. 55 

who says, "Ye also, as new-born babes, desire the 
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." 
1 Peter ii. 2. So the apostle Paul, when writing to 
the Corinthians, says, " And I, brethren, could not 
speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, 
even as unto babes in Christ." 1 Cor. iii. 1. So 
again to the Hebrews: "For every one that useth 
milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness, for 
he is a babe." Heb. v. 13. So the treatment of the 
Thessalonians, which the same apostle speaks of, 
conveys the same idea: " We were gentle among 
you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children." 1 
Thess. ii. 7. It is this babe, this child in grace, 
then, whose experience we shall now consider. 
And here, also, we shall have to describe something 
of his character, as well as his experience; in both 
of which we shall see something excellent, something 
blamable, and something discouraging. 

The first thing we discover in the young Christian 
is a serious concern for his soul. Before he was 
convinced of his real state by nature, he manifested 
no care for the immortal part. All taken up with 
his body, the pleasures of the world, and the vanities 
of time and sense, he neglected that which was most 
important, and despised that which was most neces- 
sary. But now he is led to consider what will 
become of his soul, and to make the solemn inquiry, 
"What shall I do to be saved?" He reads with 
trembling the awful warnings and solemn declara- 
tions of Scripture, "What shall it profit a man if he 



56 THE YOUNG CHRISTIANAS EXPERIENCE. 

gam the whole world and lose his own soul? or 
what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 
Except ye be converted, and become as little child- 
ren, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
Except ye repent ye must all perish. Seek ye the 
Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while 
he is near." Mark viii. 86. Matt, xviii. 3. Luke 
xiii. 3. Isa. Iv. 6. These passages come home with 
power to his mind; he is led to see the impropriety 
of living according to the course of this world, the 
end of which is death. The divine Spirit impresses 
the solemn truths of revelation upon his heart ; he 
is made a new creature ; old things begin to pass 
away, and all things become new. He is led to 
choose that better part, that one thing needful, which 
can not be taken from him. The care of the soul, 
the shortness of time, the certainty of death, the 
necessity of repentance, the awful realities of heaven 
and hell, together with the thoughts of eternity, are 
subjects which now so engage his attention, that he 
becomes alive to his best interests, sets his face Zion- 
ward, takes up his cross, and travels towards tjie 
heavenly world. 

But although his feet be directed in a right path, 
he is far from being satisfied with himself. He 
can not forget the transgressions of his former life. 
There was a time when sin was not a source of dis- 
tress to him, and when, indeed, he saw nothing of 
the evil of it. He would not then own himself a 
sinner, and ridiculed those whom he found depressed 



THE YOUJSTG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 57 

in spirit, on account of their sins. Thinking no- 
thing of the justice and holiness of God, and the 
demands and sentence of his law, he trifled with sin, 
and committed it without remorse. God, said he, is 
merciful, and there is no doubt of forgiveness. But 
now, when he looks back, he can not bear the reflec- 
tion! His sins appear both multitudinous and 
aggravating. He wonders God did not cut him 
down in the midst of his folly. He remembers how 
he abused divine goodness, slighted conscience, neg- 
lected duty, and offended Him to whom he is under 
infinite obligations. Under a sense of this he now 
feels a heavy burden, often doubts whether the Lord 
will be gracious to him, and, like David, prays, " Oh ! 
remember not against me former iniquities ; let thy 
tender mercy speedily prevent me, for I am brought 
very low. Help me, O God of my salvation, for the 
glory of thy name ; and deliver me, and purge away 
my sins, for thy name's sake." Psa. Ixxix. 8, 9. 

It may be necessary to observe here, that all 
Christians have not the same pungent feelings on 
their first convictions. Some are remarkably dis- 
tressed under a view of their sins ; others feel, but 
not to the same degree. A sense of guilt, however, 
more or less, belongs to all. Nor are those to be 
considered as truly regenerate who do not find sin 
to be a burden. Where there is life there will be 
feeling. A ponderous weight upon a dead person 
will not be felt ; but upon one where there is life, 
whether the infant, or the aged, there will then be a 
3* 



58 THE YOUNG- CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

susceptibility. So with true Christians: whether 
babes in Christ, or fathers, sin will be burdensome. 

"I know, I know (says the Christian) that I am 
a sinful creature; looking at what I once was, I 
tremble ; and beholding myself as I now am, I am 
fearful. I will declare my iniquity, I will be sorry 
for my sin. I have nothing in myself but what is a 
source of shame : I can do nothing but what is im- 
perfect. All I have, and all I am, is tainted with 
human infirmity. If a single perfect thought could 
save me, I have it not. . To thee, Lord, therefore, 
I must look for mercy. Interpose, or I am undone. 
Show compassion, or I must die ! Die a sinner ! 
Die miserable ! Die without hope ! Die to bear thy 
indignation, and to reap the fruits of my own sin ! 
Lord, save or I perish !" 

While guilt thus presses hard, the Christian is led 
to inquire what hope, what confidence, he may in- 
dulge, where he can find rest for his troubled con- 
science : how he can obtain real happiness ; whether 
there be salvation for such as he. Here, then, we 
see him employed in consulting the sacred oracles, 
and here it is, by divine assistance, he obtains relief. 
Here he finds that a Manasseh, a Saul, a Magdalen, 
a thief on the cross, were pardoned and received to 
glory. Here he learns that a fountain is opened for 
sin and uncleanness. Here he beholds promises 
which strengthen his faith, brighten his hope, and 
comfort his mind. With what pleasure he reads, 
then, that, " the blood of Christ cleanses from all 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 59 

sin; that lie is able to save to the uttermost all that 
come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to 
make intercession for them ; that this man receiveth 
sinners, yea, that it is a faithful saying, and worthy 
of all acceptation, that he came into the world to 
save sinners." 1 John i. 7, Zech. xiii. 1, Heb. vii. 
25, Luke xv. 2, 1 Tim. i. 15. 

These promises furnish matter for prayer, and a 
sense of duty as well as of privilege excites him to 
come to the throne of grace. He can not now live, 
as he has done, without supplication to his God. 
Ah ! he remembers well how he has neglected this, 
and that he has acted more like the beasts of the 
field than as a rational being, accountable to his 
Maker. He remembers, too, how praying people 
were the butt of his ridicule, how disgusting their 
prayers were ; and when in the house of God, how 
tedious the service, how irksome the devotion of 
others has been to him. Yea, probably, he recollects 
more : he calls to mind the time when he actually 
derided and persecuted the people of God; endea- 
vored to disturb their devotions, to destroy their 
Bibles, and to make them miserable. But now what 
a pleasing change ! Behold, he himself prays ; happy 
to retire from those he once associated with, that he 
may implore the mercy of his God, and experience 
communion with him. Now the people whom he 
despised are the objects of his delight. He hastens 
to their company, he unites with them in their ser- 
vices, and participates with them the blessings 



60 THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN^ EXPERIENCE. 

attendant on those who wait on God, and devote 
themselves to him. 

It is not to be supposed, however, from what we 
have said above, that the young Christian is imme- 
diately possessed of the gift of prayer, so as to 
address his Maker with that freedom and propriety 
which belong to the more experienced Christian. 
There is much ignorance and imperfection. But we 
are not offended. He is a babe; and the lispings 
of a babe have charms, and make us feel as well as 
the more accurate language of the more mature. 
"We admire the grace that dictates his desires, and 
we excuse the language in which they are clothed. 

Another peculiar characteristic of the young 
Christian is zeal. We often discover more of this 
in him than in those who are more advanced. God 
perhaps graciously bestows much in order to break 
through the difficulties and withstand the great 
opposition to which he is exposed. The young 
Christian, too, it must be remembered, knows but 
little of the strength of human corruption, and the 
inveteracy of prejudice. He imagines he can easily 
reclaim those who have been Ipng accustomed to 
vice and immorality. He sees things so plain him- 
self, that he supposes others must see the same. 
Full of love to the Saviour, he would fain bring 
others to love him too. He sets about converting 
the world, and discovers much activity; till at last 
he finds what Melancthon found, that "Old Adam 
is too hard for the young Christian." 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 61 

Here, then, we must consider the shades in his 
character ; some imperfections, which nothing but a 
greater experience will remove. He has been but a 
short time in the way ; his mind can not be much en- 
larged ; his knowledge must be but scanty ; his judg- 
ment respecting divine things can not be matured. 
The world lay snares for him of which he is not aware ; 
the argument of a superior, the smile of a relation, 
the promise of a friend, and the suggestions of carnal 
prudence, sometimes lead him aside. Though sin- 
cerely engaged in the cause of his divine Master, he 
has not, altogether, entirely shaken off customs, and 
divested himself of prejudices he imbibed in nature's 
school. These have proved a thorn in his side, and 
given the world an opportunity of attacking him with 
hopes of success. He has had but few 'bccasions, as 
yet, to witness the deceitful operations of his own 
heart. This is a book he has not been accustomed 
to read till lately. Many fine descriptions have been 
set forth here ; many fine pictures have been drawn, 
and many delightful prospects represented, that have, 
after all, proved fallacious, and by which he has been 
deceived. His little acquaintance, also, with the 
sacred oracles has led him, sometimes, to put false 
constructions on the word of God ; and he has been 
in danger of falling into error, had it not been that 
some who had more experience afforded him instruc- 
tion. " The devices and depths of Satan," also, he 
has been but little acquainted with. This great ene- 
my of souls has watched his every step, painted things 



62 THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

in improper colors, and sometimes put on a spiritual 
appearance : the young convert, perhaps, has listen- 
ed to his insinuations, and, while pleased with the 
phantom presented to his mind, has actually fallen a 
victim to his snares. See the last chapter. 

It is no uncommon thing for the inexperienced 
Christian, also, to discover a little of a self-dependent 
spirit. Legal hope dies hard, and he is sometimes 
led to imagine that he has more strength than he has. 
Thus Peter thought that though all the disciples 
should leave Christ, yet he would not. How many 
rash steps have been taken, how many dangers have 
young Christians run into, through a dependence on 
themselves ! They have judged by their present feel- 
ings, not considering the weakness and versatility of 
man. " I shall never be moved, it is good to be here," 
has been their language. Their very prayers, al- 
though sincere and well-meaning, have proved their 
ignorance and self-dependence ; and often has it been 
a mercy for them that they have not been answered 
according to their desires. Like children too, they 
have been pleased with toys ; stood on the brink of 
danger, without knowing where they were. Flush- 
ed with zeal, they have made attempts without fear, 
entered upon important stations without caution, 
and engaged in services which the more experienced 
have declined from a sense of their importance, and 
the wise have withdrawn from, under a conviction of 
their inability. 

It is the tendency of the religion of Jesus to hum- 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 63 

ble the mind, and to produce the most lowly thoughts 
of ourselves ; and in proportion as grace operates, so 
shall we be diffident of ourselves, and the more shall 
we exalt the Saviour. Satan, however, takes the ad- 
vantage of the young convert, to make him think 
more highly of himself than he ought to think. It 
is no uncommon thing, therefore, to observe such as- 
suming a degree of importance which does not belong 
to them ; to dictate where they ought to learn ; to be 
conspicuous where they ought to be obscure. A consi- 
deration of the evil propensity of the heart to this 
sin led the apostle to say, " Be not high-minded, but 
fear. Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed 
lest he fall. Let every man think soberly, according 
as Grod hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 
If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he 
knoweth nothing, yet, as he ought to know." Eom. 
xi. 20, 1 Cor. x. 12, Eom. xii. 3, 1 Cor. viii. 2. 

Great imprudence, however, marks the young 
Christian's conduct. Even the disciples of our Lord 
were not free from this. Firmly as they believed in 
the Messiah, and ready as they were to obey his com- 
mands, they sometimes discovered great rashness, as 
the following instances will testify. "It came to 
pass, when the time was come that Jesus should be 
received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusa- 
lem. And sent messengers before his face ; and they 
went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to 
make ready for him. And they did not receive him, 
because his face was as though he would go to Jeru- 



64 THE YOUNG- CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

salem : and when his disciples James and John saw 
this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command 
fire to come down from heaven, and consume them 
as Elias did? But he. turned, and rebuked them, and 
said, ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.' 7 
So again, " John answered and said, Master, we saw 
one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbad 
him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus 
said unto him forbid him not ; for he that is not 
against us, is for us." Luke ix. 49-56. 

The little experience the young Christian has, 
sometimes leads him to be loquacious. He is ready 
to determine without judgment, and to speak with- 
out caution. An over inquisitiveness is too evident, 
and an unsanctified curiosity frequently predomi- 
nates. "What shall this man do? said one: to 
whom our Lord replied, What is that to thee ? follow 
thou me." "Lord, are there few that shall be 
saved?" said another. "Strive to enter in at the 
strait gate," said our Lord, "for many, I say unto* 
you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." 
John xxi. 22, Luke xiii. 23, 24. 

Zeal in a good cause is certainly deserving of 
praise, and worthy of imitation ; but that of the 
young Christian too often degenerates into temerity. 
His judgment is not matured enough to inform him, 
nor his prudence great enough to guide him' always 
in what is to be done. Hence actions good in 
themselves are seen out of place ; order is disturbed ; 
the path of others is crossed, and confusion pro- 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 65 

cluced, all through inadvertency and want of ex- 
perience. Young Christians have often wounded 
the spirits of others, though undesignedly ; and too 
often, instead of promoting, they have injured the 
cause they meant to serve. Infidels have laughed, 
skeptics increased their doubts, and the ungodly 
hardened in their courses by some rash step they 
have taken, or unguarded word they have uttered. 

We must not, however, be too severe on those 
whose inexperience claims our advice, and whose 
tenderness should engage our protection. Their 
faults may be numerous, but they are the faults of 
children ; their experience little, but they are conti- 
nually adding to their treasure. They are every 
day receiving shocks, which, instead of injuring, 
tend to settle them. They are constantly making 
experiments, from which knowledge is increased, 
and prudence learnt. They have their pleasures, 
but they have their difficulties too : and from these 
difficulties they learn experience, and obtain good. 
But these difficulties must be stated, in order that 
we may have a full view of their experience, 

We have already mentioned the serious concern 
produced in the mind by a conviction of sin, and 
that in some this arises to the most pungent distress, 
almost bordering on despair. A view of the holi- 
ness of God, the nature of sin, his own un worthiness, 
and the punishment due to the guilty, fills the soul 
with horror, and these uneasy impressions are not 
always immediately removed. The Almighty is 



66 THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

sometimes pleased to wound deep, before lie sends 
his Holy Spirit to lead the awakened mind to look 
to and derive comfort from the cross. Hence many, 
with Job, have said, " The arrows of the Almighty 
are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my 
spirits : the terrors of Grod do set themselves in array 
against me."* Job vi, 4. 

But in addition to these painful sensations, the 
young Christian meets with opposition from his for- 
mer companions. One derides him as an enthusiast, 
another considers him as melancholy ; a third ridi- 
cules him as singular, while a fourth sneers at him 
for changing his religion. Perhaps he may have 
ungodly parents, who are ready to deprive him of 
his patrimony, expel him from the house, or set him 
up as a laughing-stock to the rest of the family. 
Domestics may be suffered to treat him with con- 
tempt, and inferior branches of the house may pass 
by him with scorn. These things, though honora- 
ble to the Christian, yet are not pleasant to human 
nature ; and we all know, that though grace affords 
support, yet it does not destroy the feelings. . 

But the young convert is not only attacked in 
this way ; but when the world perceives that he is 
invulnerable here, another method is tried, and 
which indeed has been more dangerous than the 
other. Human nature loves to be soothed : soft 
words, alluring smiles, kind treatment, and fair pro- 

* See chapter on distressing experience. 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 67 

mises will do more to bend the mind than any- 
other means that can be thought of. These are 
sometimes employed by the devotees of the world to 
warp the mind, and draw aside the young pilgrim. 
With apparent kindness at the head, follows a varie- 
ty of other expedients to ensnare. Vice is extenu- 
ated ; virtue is represented as not always rigid in 
her claims ; occasional departures ai?e allowable ; 
there is no harm when it does not spring from prin- 
ciple. God never designed all the pleasures of the 
world to be abandoned : every one have their infir- 
mities, and you may have j^ours. You may think 
of religion at another opportunity : it will be time 
enough when you come to die. With such like ex- 
pedients is the young convert assaulted : and it 
must be confessed that when parents and connections 
are amiable in every other respect, the struggle be- 
tween conscience and carnal prudence becomes 
severe indeed. Here the Christian trembles. His 
relatives claim his attention; God claims his con- 
science. The former call to pleasure, but the latter 
to duty. Discouraged and dejected, he scarcely 
knows what to do ; till the recollection of the deci- 
sion of the apostles, "We ought to obey God rather 
than men," liberates his mind. Acts v. 29. 

Another source of discouragement is the conduct 
of professors themselves. From both the formal 
and the careless is the Christian often grieved. The 
formal cold-hearted professor, who enjoys nothing of 
the power of real religion himself, is frequently the 



68 THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

most forward to reproach those who do. Instead of 
encouraging the young, bearing with their infirmi- 
ties, and admiring their vigorous zeal, how often is 
it Ave hear him say, " Ah! young person, you run 
too fast : religion is sober ; it requires not such zeal : 
you should mind your w r orldly interest; God does 
not expect we should do every thing. The wisdom 
of this world* is not altogether to be despised: reli- 
gion is well in its place, but you need not burden 
yourself with it : God will accept the will for the 
deed." This has staggered the new-born Christian 
for a while, till again, recurring to the sacred 
volume, he finds such characters described as dan- 
gerous: "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion; 
who are neither cold nor hot." Amos vi. 1, Bev. 
iii. 18. 

The inconsistent characters of some also discou- 
rage him. It is no uncommon thing for the newly- 
awakened Christian to imagine that conversion is a 
transition from the world, where every thing is im- 
perfect and sinful, to the Church, where every thing 
is pure and holy. On his first entrance into the 
religious world, therefore, he is not aware that coun- 
terfeits are to be found here as well' as in every 
other part of human society. He is surprised to 
find the serpent in paradise; that a profession of 
religion is made use of by the hypocrite as a step to 
worldly advancement; that there can be splendid 
talents, a retentive memory, a fair and sanctimoni- 
ous appearance, and a silver tongue, without grace. 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 69 

Nothing, perhaps, distresses him more than to find 
his Lord and Master crucified in the house of his 
friends. He feels for them, he feels for himself, he 
feels for the cause. On turning, however, to his 
guide, he finds this is no new thing : the Bible 
points out to him such characters, and warns him to 
beware. " Also, thou son of man, the children of 
thy people still are talking against thee by the walls, 
and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to 
another, every one to his brother, come, I pray -you, 
and hear what is the word that cometh from the 
Lord. * And they come unto thee as the people 
cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and 
they hear thy words, but they will not do them ; 
for with their mouth they show much love, but 
their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo !. 
thou art unto thdm as a very lovely song of onq that 
hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an in- 
strument ; for they hear thy words, but they do 
them not. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, 
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in 
thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name 
done many wonderful works? And then I will 
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from 
me ye that work iniquity." Ezek. xxxiii. 30, etc., 
Matt. vii. 21, 22. 

There are also temptations peculiar to the young 
Christian which become exceedingly distressing. 
The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the 
pride of life, assault him with the greatest force. 



70 . THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

Sometimes a spirit of volatility leads him astray. His 
passions are clamorous, his spirits flow briskly. He 
finds it difficult to maintain that solidity without 
gloom, and that cheerfulness without levity, which 
should ever distinguish the true Christian. The god 
of this world knows too, how to beguile those who 
have not any considerable degree of experience. He 
is continually watching for their halting, and is ever 
ready to inflate with pride, to excite a false zeal, to 
stimulate to acts of imprudence; or, on the other 
hand, to fill with shame, to promote an unbecoming 
diffidence, to depress the spirit, and insinuate hard 
things of God. Thus young Christians suffer from 
Satanic opposition, as well as from their own lively 
passions, and the allurements of a fascinating and de- 
ceitful world. 

Lastly, what has a great influence on the mind in 
a way of discouragement are the errors and variety 
of opinions which abound. The Bible informs us of 
"the doctrines of men," " oppositions of science," 
" devices of Satan," " unlearned questions/' "old 
wives' fables," all which are to be guarded against. 
The young Christian is staggered at the multiplicity 
of sentiments, the number of false teacher, and the 
contrariety of opinions he finds among the profes- 
sors of religion. What also has had the appearance 
of truth, he has found to be error. And as error often 
lives next door to truth, he has mistaken one for 
the other, till the word of God, or the wisdom of a 
more experienced Christian has set him right. . So 



THE YOUNG- CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 71 

many are the bye roads, so specious the arguments 
of the erroneous, and so numerous the votaries of 
false doctrine, that his mind has been for a while 
distracted. One, perhaps, has reproached him as a 
legalist, another has told him his doctrines lead to 
licentiousness. Some have endeavored to draw him 
aside with soft and insinuating measures; others 
have pronounced him in a state of imminent danger, 
because he could not walk in their confined circle, 
or breathe their bigoted and contracted spirit. Ah ! 
young Christian, how should the more experienced in 
Christ feel for you ! Tossed up and down, assaulted 
by every rude hand, ridiculed by the world, and 
tempted by a malignant foe, how ought such to feel 
for you ? Venerable fathers in Christ, ye who were 
once thus exposed, press the tender lambs to your bo- 
som, screen them from the stormy blast, hide them 
under the covert of your own influence, and let it 
never be said that those who are discouraged by the 
world are left unprotected by the Church, and unas- 
sisted by those whose business it is, like the Saviour 
of sinners, to strengthen the weak hands, and con- 
firm the feeble knees. 

But, before I conclude this chapter, let me entreat 
the young Christian to cherish a principle of grati- 
tude for the manifestation of divine goodness toward 
him. It is true you have not the light, the experi- 
ence, the wide extended views, or the matured judg- 
ment of many around you ; but you are in the way : 
God is your guide; he has enabled you to forsake 



72 - THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

the world, and to take up your cross. What obliga- 
tions are you under, then, to him ! You especially, 
who are early devoting yourselves to him, how 
many evils will you escape, how many blessings you 
enjoy! To begin the morning of life with God, is 
the way to have a most prosperous day and a serene 
evening. You may, therefore, look forward with 
pleasure; and when arrived at the end of your jour- 
ney, look back without dismay. In life, through 
life, at the close of life, and when time shall be no 
more, all shall be well with you. Be grateful for 
discriminating favor : how many of the young are 
ruining their constitutions, wasting their estates, 
prostituting their powers, and bringing inevitable 
destruction upon their souls, while you have been 
led by a gracious Friend to take a different course ! 
Ah ! you are called to peace, to holiness, to honor, 
to glory, while others are sinking into perdition. 
Will you not, then, be grateful ? 

Learn also to be docile and humble. Others, who 
have been long in the way, confess that they know 
but little; yea, the wise are complaining of their 
ignorance. And what then can you know? Freely 
acknowledge your ignorance, and be not above ask- 
ing instruction from your superiors. Sit down at the 
feet of others, and you shall be saved from many un- 
happy circumstances which those have been involv- 
ed in, who chose rather to follow the dictates of their 
own rashness and inexperience than the wise direc- 
tions of the intelligent and experienced Christian. 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 7o 

Follow too the footsteps of the flock; beware of 
novelty and curiosity in divine things. There are 
meteors in the religious world as well as the natural ; 
but he who follows them is likely to be led astray. 
The light of the sun, which is more steady, perma- 
nent, and useful, ought to be preferred to those lights 
which are only conspicuous because they are sur- 
rounded with darkness. Eevelation must be your 
guide, and not the novel opinions and strange senti- 
ments of those who love to be singular, and who 
show more pride than grace by differing from all oth- 
ers. Above all, implore the Spirit of grace, that you 
may still go forward, increasing in knowledge and 
grace even unto the end. 

You are not without encourgement ; yea, it is 
somewhat remarkable that a great number of prom- 
ises are made to the weak and young of Christ's fold. 
He gave a special commission that his lambs should 
be fed. It was prophesied of him, that he would not 
break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, 
but that he should take the lambs in his arms, and 
carry them in his bosom. Ministers are commanded 
to speak comfortably to them, and to treat them 
with the utmost tenderness. Is. xlii. 3, Is/xl. 11, 
Is. xxxv. 3, 4, Jo. xxi. 15. 

Perhaps you may complain ; you may be ready to 
say, "Ah ! I have but little if any light. My mind 
is very contracted, my corruptions I find to be very 
powerful. The enemy I fear will be too much for 
me. I am ready to sink under a sense of my un- 
4 



74 THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

worthiness. And what if I should prove an apostate 
at last? What if I should sin against light and 
knowledge, and, like Judas, betray him whom I pro- 
fess to love, and thus plunge myself into misery!" 
Should this be your language, consider that the great 
Shepherd of his sheep has engaged to keep and guide 
safe through. "None," he hath said, " shall pluck 
them out of his hand." 1 Pet. i. 4. Your feeling thus 
is evidence of life, and life shall not be destroyed 
by a kind parent, though it may be scarcely discern- 
able. Go forward, therefore; you shall have the 
prayers of the saints, the attendance of angels, and 
the compassion of God. 

Let us all learn to bear with the infirmities, sym- 
pathize with the state, and direct the steps of the 
weak and feeble. They have too many discourage- 
ments of their own to have others thrown upon 
them by those who are engaged in the same cause 
and have the same object in view. The voice of na- 
ture says, treat the young with tenderness and care. 
The voice of reason joins, and says, the strong ought 
to help the weak : and the voice of Scripture loudly 
proclaims, "Him that is weak in the faith receive 
ye ; he shall be holden up, for God is able to make 
him stand." Eom. xiv. 1, 4. 



EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 75 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN IN MIDDLE AGE. 

It was observed by the great apostle Paul, that 
when he was a child, he spake as a child, he under- 
stood as a child, he thought as a child ; but when he 
became a man, he put away childish things. 1 Cor. 
xiii. 11. This is not less true in a spiritual than in 
a literal sense. There are childish things belonging 
to the young Christian, which, though they claim 
our indulgence, yet are not pleasing, and which a 
Christian of riper years is taught to renounce. The 
frivolities of children are not practised by the middle 
aged, nor are their imaginations deceived, nor their 
judgment so easily imposed on, as those who have 
seen and known but little of human life and of 
Christian experience. As the Christian advances, 
the dignity of his character appears ; and when he 
has passed the first stage of life, we may consider 
him as possessing wisdom and experience. He has 
now felt the consequence of listening to the dictates 
of ignorance or of vanity, and of following the many 
rash guides who have pretended to be his friends. 
He is now enabled to unite prudence with his zeal, 



76 EXPERIENCE IuST MIDDLE AGE. 

and deliberation with, his knowledge. Humility, 
steadfastness, order, wisdom, and vigilance distin- 
guish and adorn his character. He is no more a 
child, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every 
wind of doctrine: his heart is established with grace. 
What Hosea predicted of Israel may be verified in 
his experience : " He grows as the lily, and c&sts forth 
his roots as Lebanon." Hos. xiv. 5, 6. There is not 
merely a beauty as in the lily, but strength as in the 
cedar. Storms can not easily shake him, being root- 
ed, and built up in Christ. Things called new, allur- 
ing, and wonderful strike not his senses with the 
same force as formerly. He does not run backward 
and forward agitated at every strange event, nor is 
he carried away by the stream of popular opinion. 
In fact, we now see the Christian in this state no 
longer as the babe, the novice, the curious, or the 
volatile. It is the man of nerve, of judgment, of 
discretion and dependence ; one who has renounced 
his own will to follow the will of God, who makes 
the word of God his rule, and the glory of God 
his end; who has seen enough of the world to 
wean him from it, and so much of the divine favor, 
as to convince him there can be no happiness with- 
out it. 

There are some particulars, however, which more 
especially belong to the Christian at this period of 
life, which, we shall now consider. 

And, first, we may observe, that it is a time of 
serious reflection as to what is past, and of solemn 



EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 77 

thouglitfulness as to what is to come. Young 
Christians, like children, seldom think much. Alas ! 
what carelessness and want of consideration are evi- 
dent ! These things, however, in some measure, are 
done away in middle age. Things of importance 
engage the attention ; the powers are enlarged, ex- 
perience is ripened, the judgment is informed, and 
wise reflections can not but enter into the mind. The 
Christian, at this time, stands upon an eminence, and 
looks, as it were, both ways. He looks back, and 
beholds the way through which he has travelled. 
He contemplates the difficulties he has encountered, 
the tempests he has been exposed to, and the dan- 
gers which have attended him. He calls to mind 
the various changes he has witnessed in human af- 
fairs. Friends he has seen turned into enemies, com- 
forts into crosses, and the most promising appear- 
ances into disappointment and woe. The unexpect- 
ed vicissitudes he has seen in nations, churches, 
families, and individuals, fill him with astonishment, 
while at the same time they teach him wisdom. His 
reflections, however, are not all of the gloomy cast. 
He has seen the humble exalted, the vigilant pro- 
tected, the industrious crowned with success. He 
has observed with pleasure, the kind hand of the 
Father of mercies supplying the poor, blessing the 
afflicted, defending the weak, holding up the tempt- 
ed, and directing the ignorant. With the psalmist 
he can say, that he has never seen the righteous for- 
saken, nor his seed begging bread ; but that divine 



78 EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 

wisdom has led them forth by a right way, that they 
might go to a city of habitation.' 7 Ps. xxxvii. 24, 
Ps. cvii. 7. Eeader, what a noble sight is this, to 
behold the Christian, notwithstanding all the troubles 
of life, pronouncing this delightful sentence, " I have 
seen the end of the Lord, that he is very pitiful, and 
of tender mercy I" James v. 11. 

But the Christian in middle age is thoughtful as 
to the future/ He dreams not now of new and ex- 
traordinary scenes, of places where all care and 
trouble are to be excluded, of connections where no 
false friends or open enemies are to be found, of 
business where no exertion is necessary, or of power 
where no insubordination will manifest itself. Alas ! 
how have we all been deceived in one or other of these 
respects in our first setting out, till more experience 
has undeceived us. The Christian of middle age, 
however, has seen the fallacy of all these things. 
Prom what he has experienced, he is led to believe 
that the future will, in many respects, resemble the 
past. He prepares for disappointment His hopes 
run not high relative to this world's felicity. While 
there are the same corrupt dispositions in men, the 
same opposition from the god of this world, the 
same uncertainty as to all human affairs, he natural- 
ly expects to feel the shock which the convulsions 
of surrounding bodies may occasion. As a prudent 
man, however, he foreseeth the evil, and hideth 
himself. He does not willingly rush into danger, 
yet, if he be called to it, he buckles on his armor, 



EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 79 

and endeavors to bear up, and act with fortitude and 
spirit in the conflict. 

To the Christian in this period indeed, as well as 
to all others, the events of futurity are unknown ; 
yet he can look forward with a degree of confidence 
and pleasure. He has travelled half his journey; 
and from the remembrance of the support he has re- 
ceived in days that are past, he gathers hope for the 
future. " I will commit myself," says he, " into the 
hands of the same faithful guide. I will remember 
the interposition of his providence. He did not 
abandon me to the world, as I deserved. He conquer- 
ed my foes when they surrounded me. I called upon 
him in the day of trouble, he heard me, and deliver- 
ed me from all my fears. Why then should I doubt 
his love ? Why should I despond, since he remains 
the same in his covenant, in his purpose, in his per- 
fections, and in his promise ? The Lord that deli- 
vered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the 
paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand 
of this Philistine." Unbelief has indeed, sometimes 
asked, " Will the Lord cast off for ever, and will he 
be favorable no more ? Is his mercy clean gone for 
ever ? Doth his promise fail for evermore ? Hath 
God forgotten to be gracious ? Hath he in anger 
shut up his tender mercies? " But faith has an- 
swered, " This is my infirmity : I will remember the 
years of the right hand of the Most High. I will re- 
member the works of the Lord ; surely I will re- 
member thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of 



SO EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE, 

all thy works, and talk of thy doings." Ps. lxxvii. 
7, etc., 1 Sam. xvii. 37. 

But lias the Christian then, in this period, nothing 
to try him, nothing to weaken his faith, or cool his 
ardor ? We answer, he has. This is a time when 
he is more oppressed with care, more exposed to 
anxiety, than perhaps any other part of his life. It 
is now that he is immersed in business ; surrounded 
perhaps with a family ; the love of gain increasing ; 
occasions offering to excite jealousy, ambition, and 
envy. "Here he is encountered by the violence of 
an enemy. There he is supplanted by the address 
of a rival. The pride of a superior insults him. The 
ingratitude of a friend provokes him. Animosities 
ruffle his temper. Suspicions poison his mind." 
These are the things which try the Christian, and 
render this part of his life in many respects painful. 
What reason has he often to complain, through the 
intrusion of these evils, of the earthliness of his mind, 
the deadness of his soul to God, the lukewarmness 
of his frame, and the little he does for the glory of 
God ! " My soul cleaveth to the dust : quicken 
thou me, according to thy word. From the utter- 
most parts of the earth have I heard songs, even 
glory to the righteous ; but I said, my leanness, my 
leanness, woe unto me " Es. cxix. 25, Is. xxiv. 16. 

" Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, 
Prone to leave the G-od I love : 
Here's my heart — oh ! take and seal it, 
Seal it to thy courts above," 



EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 81 

Our Lord well knew what the Christian would be 
exposed to at this period, and, therefore, he has left 
suitable cautions and exhortations, which all who 
are more particularly engaged in the concerns of this 
life ought to observe. " Take heed to yourselves, 
lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with sur- 
feiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life." 
Luke xxi. 34. For want of an attention to these 
salutary cautions, how many Christians have lost 
their spirituality, their zeal, and their usefulness for 
a time ! Alas ! what an awful eclipse has been pro- 
duced by the world's intervening between the Christ- 
ian and his spiritual Sun. How have many gone 
mourning to the grave through the cares of tempo- 
ral things ! Worldly wisdom, secular interest, com- 
mercial connections, and too much of the spirit of 
the times, have so much influenced some good men, 
at this period, as to draw them aside from the true 
path, to pursue objects, which, however pleasant to 
the eye of sense, alas ! have only been calculated to 
injure the soul, and throw a damp on their exertions 
in the best of causes. But to return from this di- 
gression, notwithstanding the general temptations, 
cares, and anxieties of the Christian at this season, 
and sometimes the too fatal consequences befalling 
those who listen to the tempter, yet, on the whole, 
the Christian is gaining inexperience; he is more 
sensible of his danger, more judicious, prudent, and 
dependent on his God. We do not see in him that 
levity of spirit that is too conspicuous in the young : 
4* 



82 EXPERIENCE IN" MIDDLE AGE. 

not that he is without cheerfulness ; " but his cheer- 
fulness is as different from the levity of the young, 
as the flight of the eagle is from the fluttering of a 
sparrow in the air." There is now a solidity that 
marks his character, and this solidity is tempered 
with a humble joy. He is not now so easily elated 
nor so quickly depressed as formerly. There is an 
equanimity of mind, learnt from a proper view of 
all things being under the control and disposal of 
Him, who orders every thing after the counsel of his 
own will. There is a fortitude acquired by actual 
conflicts with and conquests over the enemy. There 
is prudence derived from the recollection of former 
inexperience. The senses, as the apostle Paul 
observes, by reason of use, can now discern both 
good and evil. Heb. v. 14. 

Farther : we may consider this period as a time of 
usefulness. It is now that the Christian possesses 
wisdom to instruct, experience which claims venera- 
tion, and influence which gains attention. In the 
early period of Christian experience, the Christian 
indeed is often filled with extraordinary desires for 
doing good ; but then, it often happens that he is 
destitute of that knowledge and prudence which 
should direct his exertions, and hence frequently 
does harm instead of good ; but when he arrives to 
middle age, he is better capable of discerning what 
is to be done, and the best means which should be 
employed to answer the end. Having had some ex- 
perience in divine things, and been of some standing 



EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 83 

in the divine life, his knowledge becomes sound and 
extensive. The deceitfulness of the heart, the van- 
ity of the world, the evil of sin, the temptations of 
Satan, are subjects with which he is well acquainted. 
So likewise the doctrines of Christ, the graces of the 
Spirit, the duties of Christianity, and the consola- 
tions of religion, are things on which he can delight- 
fully expatiate. Now it is, therefore, that he be- 
comes a shining light in the midst of a crooked and 
perverse generation, capable of illuminating the ig- 
norant, reanimating the drooping, and- strengthening 
the weak. 

Experience excites veneration; hence it is that 
the Christian who has passed his novitiate, and is 
arrived to the period we are now speaking of, is 
generally resorted to as a source of instruction, and 
as an object of esteem. We can take his decisions 
without hesitation, and follow his directions without 
fear. To him, therefore, the distressed repair for 
advice under the difficult circumstances of life ; the 
young for knowledge and direction, the conscien- 
tious for the resolving of cases of conscience, and the 
persecuted for a refuge in times of opposition and 
reproach. 

It is now also that the Christian possesses more in- 
fluence, and has greater opportunities presented to 
him of doing good. Now perhaps he is a father, 
and is anxious to bring his children up in the nur- 
ture and admonition of the Lord. He feels for their 
souls ; he is concerned for their best interests. He 



84 EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 

takes them in tlie arms of faith and prayer to the. 
throne of grace, and beseeches the Father of mercies 
to be gracious to them. He tenders suitable instruc- 
tions, and enforces all by a holy example. It is 
' now, perhaps, he is a master, and has servants under 
his care. He is desirous of their being instructed in 
the way of salvation : he affords them opportunities 
of reading the Scriptures and hearing the Gospel. 
Taught by the humble and mild spirit of Christian- 
ity, he looks upon them as possessing souls equally 
as valuable as those of higher classes. He prays for 
them, and embraces every opportunity of doing 
them good. 

Perhaps he fills important stations in society, 
where a wider range is afforded for the display of 
his benevolence, and where it is expected his activi- 
ty and exertions must be redoubled. What are 
now his feelings, and what his language ? Is it not 
now we hear him making inquiries of an important 
and useful nature? " Arrived at middle age, and 
holding responsible situations in life, what am I 
doing? The season 'of youth and inexperience is 
past away. Now, while I possess strength and op- 
portunity, while my powers are alive, and my influ- 
ence extensive, what useful objects have I in view? 
Do I discharge the duties which devolve upon me . 
with vigor and propriety ? and am I ready to adopt 
and willing to execute plans of utility and good ? 
Should not my time, my talents, my property be 
devoted to the glory of God and the benefit of my 



EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 85 

fellow creatures? And seeing that time is short, 
life uncertain, and that I must shortly descend to 
the grave, should I not work while it is day?" 
Thus we may consider the Christian at this season 
as stimulated to activity, desirous of doing good, 
and having it in his power, more than in the season 
of youth or the time of old age, to be useful to man- 
kind. 

But this is not a season of usefulness only as it 
respects others, but of peculiar gratitude as it re- 
spects himself. In the course of his journey, what 
has he seen? How many has he beheld ruined by 
others ; how many ruined by themselves ; how 
many deceived by the world ; how many that have 
been exposed to accidents, losses, bereavements, and 
trials, while he has been preserved ; how many pin- 
ing under sickness, while he has enjoyed his health ; 
how many groaning under the iron hand of poverty, 
while he has been liberally supplied; how many 
sinking under a blasted reputation, while his charac- 
ter has been kept unsullied ; and how many have 
fallen into eternity since he began his course! 
" Ah ! how many blank spaces he can number in the 
catalogue of those who were once his companions." 
These things can not be recollected without grateful 
emotions : he acknowledges the divine hand in his 
protection and support, and thus addresses the God 
of his mercies: " Father of all goodness, Source of 
all happiness, what obligations am I under to thee 
for thy continual care ! Thou art the God of my life 



86 EXPERIENCE m MIDDLE AGE. 

and the length of my days. Thou hast granted me 
life and favor, and thy visitation hath preserved my 
spirit. It was by thy grace I was first directed into 
the happy path ; by thy wisdom I have hitherto 
been guided through all the various changes and 
manifold difficulties of my past life : to thee I owe 
the peace of my conscience, the reputation of my 
character, the supplies of my table, and the enjoy- 
ment of my health ; from thee it is I have derived 
all the knowledge I have, the comfort I enjoy, and 
the sweet hope of that glorious immortality promised 
to them that love thee ; by thee it is I have been 
upheld in slippery paths, preserved in dangerous 
moments, directed in trying circumstances, and sup- 
plied in times of need : to thee, therefore, O my God 
and Saviour, be all the praise. I will bless thee at 
all times ; thy praise shall constantly be in my 
mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord. 
My tongue shall talk of thy righteousness all the 
day long." 

" Thy grace shall dwell upon my heart, 

And shed its fragrance there ; 
The noblest balm of all its wounds, 
And cordial of its care. 

I'll speak the honors of thy name 

With my last lab'ring breath, 
And, dying, clasp thee in my arms, 

The antidote of death." 

Lastly, from what the Christian has seen of the 
mutability of all things here, and the faithfulness of 



EXPERIENCE IN' MIDDLE AGE. 87 

his God, he is led to trust more in him. He is con- 
scious that all things are under the guidance of his 
providence, and that he alone can give wisdom pro- 
fitable to direct. He reads with delight such pas- 
sages as these: "Call upon me in the day of trouble, 
and I will answer thee, and thou shalt glorify me. 
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not 
to thine own understanding. In all thy ways ac- 
knowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 
Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for 
you." Ps. i. 15, Prov. Hi 5, 6, 1 Pet. v. 5. He 
has seen the vanity of placing confidence in earthly 
things. He has been disappointed by his own heart, 
wounded by the world, deceived by flattering ap- 
pearances, and injured by trusting to an arm of 
flesh. He learns therefore the necessity, finds the 
safety, and enjoys the comfort of depending on Him 
who is without variableness, or the least shadow of 
a turning. The remembrance, too, of the divine 
conduct towards him in days that are past inspires 
his confidence. Cod has conducted him through 
the dreary valley, enabled him to climb the lofty 
mountain, kept him from sinking in the deep river, 
abated the storm or sheltered him from its violence. 
His wants have been supplied, his steps directed, his 
enemies conquered, his trials sanctified, and his soul 
encouraged to go forward. It is with pleasure, 
therefore, he can sing, "The Lord is my Shepherd: 
I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in 
green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. 



88 EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 

He restoreth my soul ; he leadeth me in tlie paths 
of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though 
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 
will fear no evil, for thou art with me ; thy rod and 
thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table 
before me in the presence of mine enemies ; thou 
anointest my head with oil : my cup runneth over. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the 
days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the 
Lord for ever." Ps. xxiii. 

Thus we see the Christian at middle age, notwith- 
standing those anxieties and cares which attend him 
in that part of life; possessing serious reflections 
as to the past, and becoming thoughts as to the 
future; bearing testimony to the Lord's benignity 
and care towards him, increasing in judgment and 
prudence, deliberate in his determinations, steady in 
his work, useful in his situation, grateful for the in- 
numerable benefits conferred upon him, and desirous 
of giving up himself to the all- wise disposal of his 
sovereign Lord. 

Our business in this little volume is rather to 
portray the experience, than to point out the duties 
of the Christian ; as this work, however, may fall 
into the hands of some professors who are busily 
engaged in the concerns of life, a suitable caution 
may not be unnecessary. We would say to them, 
Beware of inordinate love to the world. The cares 
of this life ensnare the mind, entangle the affections, 
draw the heart from God, and leave but little time 



EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 89 

for devotion and improvement. "Worldly care and 
the spirit of religion can not dwell together ; they are 
too contrary principles: there is no such thing as 
associating such opposite sentiments. Fire and 
water, light and darkness, heat and cold, can not be 
incorporated. How cautious, therefore, should we 
be, especially too when we see so many injured and 
ruined through a fatal connection with the world, and 
an anxious pursuit of its interests ! Lot's wife 
looked back, but she was turned into a pillar of 
salt. Esau sold, his birth-right for a morsel of 
meat; but he was rejected, and found no place of 
repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 
Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness ; but he 
was rebuked for his iniquity, and perished in the 
gainsaying of Core. Judas betrayed his Master for 
thirty pieces of silver ; but, alas ! existence became 
a burden to him, and he went and hanged himself. 
These are awful monuments of the Divine displeasure 
towards those who were carried away with the love 
of the world. We can not then be too watchful, 
lest, whilst managing the concerns of business, the 
interest of our families, and pursuing the avocations 
of life, we should be swallowed up by a love of 
worldly interest. Eeader, if you are called to busy 
scenes, and to take upon you the cares of temporal 
things, endeavor to maintain a vigilant spirit : re- 
treat now and then from the hum of business " into 
the salutary shade consecrated to devotion and to 
wisdom." Providence, perhaps, may have called 



90 EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 

you to serve; but beware of being cumbered with 
much serving. It is not activity, diligence, and at- 
tention we are here proscribing, but it is a too 
anxious spirit, a cleaving to tlie dust, a covetous 
disposition, a worldly mind, against which, we would 
guard you. "For they that will be rich fall into 
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and 
hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and 
perdition. For the love of money is the root of all 
evil, which, while some coveted after, they have 
erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through 
with many sorrows." 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10. "The cares 
of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and 
the lust of other things, entering in, choke the 
word, and it becometh unfruitful." Mark iv. 19. 

Let me recommend to you to be found much in 
prayer. By this mean you will be preserved from 
the evil of the world, while you are in it : you will 
carry a savor of divine things into your business; 
it will sweeten toil, and alleviate care. Now if ever, 
indeed, while surrounded with those things that 
have a tendency to wean the soul from God, is prayer 
necessary. Without grace from above, your danger 
will be great ; but by committing yourself to Him, 
who alone is able to keep you from falling, you will 
stand secure. Your prayers must be adapted to 
your circumstances* but few prayers will be more 
suitable in your situation than that of Agur : "Ke- 
move far from me vanity and lies ; give me neither 
poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient 



EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 91 

for me. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, who 
is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take 
the name of my God in vain." Pro v. xxx. 8, 9. 

Keader, are yon in the flower of life ? — study to be 
useful: now you have health, strength, influence, 
and opportunity, be active for God, and the benefit of 
mankind. Let not this period be wholly engrossed 
with the cares of the world. Work while it is day. 
Let it not be said of you, that you are a blank in crea- 
tion ; that you have talents, but they are hidden ; pro- 
perty, but it is withheld ; opportunity, but it is ne- 
glected. Oh ! what a sad thing should this be your epi- 
taph : " Here lies one who never did any thing for 
God, for the Church, or for mankind !" And yet of 
how many may this be said, and of how many profes- 
sors too ! The first part of life is lost in insignificant 
pursuits ; the middle part is spent in anxious concerns 
about temporal things ; and the last is burdened with 
complaints and infirmities. Eeader, is the morning 
of life past with you ? Eecollect how soon it will be 
evening ; how soon darkness and death will come 
upon you ; how soon all opportunities will be gone to 
return no more. Be assured, when death draws near, 
you will not have to lament that you have done too 
much ; rather you will regret the seasons that have 
been lost, privileges undervalued, mercies slighted, 
and time misimproved. Oh ! how miserable to pass 
away a life of inactivity and nothingness ; and how 
dreadful to be under the reflection that nothing has 
been done to promote the glory of God, or add to the 



92 EXPERIENCE IN MIDDLE AGE. 

happiness of mankind ! May divine grace, dear read- 
er, enable you to live, and to work for God, that you 
may be saved from such a reflection as this ; and at 
last hear the happy sentence pronounced, " Well 
done, good and faithful servant : enter thou into the 
joy of thy Lord." 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 93 



CHAPTER V. 

DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

What was said of the children of Israel, that they 
were much discouraged because of the way, may with 
great propriety be applied to many Christians, while 
travelling through this vale of tears. It is true the 
Israelites were under the peculiar direction of the 
Almighty ; he was their Governor, Benefactor, and 
Guide ; yet they were exposed to a variety of difficul- 
ties and trials. Thus too it is with his people now : 
they are the objects of his love, directed by his grace, 
held by his hand, and supplied by his bounty ; yet 
they are not exempt from discouragements. Many, 
it is said, are the affections of the righteous, and 
through great tribulation they enter into the king- 
dom. What, then, it may be asked, is the service 
in which they are engaged hard and intolerable ? Is 
the cause in which they have embarked evil ? Is the 
the master whom they serve despotic and tyrannical ? 
Or is the object which they have in view insufficient 
to animate their hopes, and so important as not to 
produce encouragement ? We answer No. On the 
contrary, the system in which they believe, and the 



94 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

prospect they have before them, are every way cal- 
culated to inspire their hopes, to remove their fears, 
and excite their confidence. But man is a feeble 
creature ; nor does his conversion render him an an- 
gel. He is subject to many fears, attended with many 
infirmities ; and though, even walking in the right 
road, too often, alas ! has reason to mourn over his 
deviations and follies. It may be observed, however, 
on the whole, that his sorrow arises not from the prin- 
ciples he holds, or the end he has in view, but from 
a sense of his defects. It is a supposition of the want 
of religion, and not the possession of it, as too many 
imagine, that causes him to mourn. Not but out- 
ward calamities, and the common afflictions of life, 
are felt by him as well as others ; for though grace 
makes the Christian, it does not unmake the man : 
he has the common feelings of humanity, though as- 
piring after the fortitude of the saint. These troub- 
les are not, however, the chief sources of his grief, 
though they tend to accumulate it. Did he possess 
all that lively exercise of faith, that ardent love, deep 
humility, calm resignation, holy zeal, and constant 
gratitude, which he wishes, outward things would 
not much affect him : his spiritual foes would gain 
but little advantage, and his joy would be but seldom 
interrupted. But, alas ! the best of men have at times 
to lament the want of these : hence their souls refuse 
comfort ; and in proportion as they possess sincere re- 
gard for their God, they feel unhappy in any depar- 
tures from his laws. Nor is the present state of things 



DISTKESSHSTG EXPERIENCE. 95 

calculated to cherish, these divine principles. The 
world is polluted, and the streams of depravity flow- 
in all directions. Those whose dispositions are still 
congenial with this corruption, feel no conflict, no 
disgust, no trial ; but those who have participated of 
' the divine nature, who are breathing after holiness, 
feel the opposition, and lament its baneful effects. 
Hence our Saviour's words are verified in this as 
in many other respects : " In the world ye shall have 
tribulation." 

It is to be observed, also, that this is not peculiar 
to a few. It is too common for distressed Christians 
to imagine that their case is singular : but no ; for 
though there may be some who do not feel the same 
pungent sorrow as others, yet at one time or other 
they all are discouraged. No, disconsolate Christ- 
ian : think not that you. are alone. Thousands 
have been, and thousands now are, exposed to as 
painful exercises as you. "Were you but better ac- 
quainted with them, you would find that their ex- 
perience in a great measure resembles yours : and 
could you but ask the spirits of the just made per- 
fect above, they would tell you that there were sea- 
sons in which they bore the same conflicts, and were 
filled with the same despondencies as you. 

" Once they were mourning here below, 
And wet their couch with tears : 
They wrestled hard, as we do now, 
"With sins, and doubts, and fears." 



96 DISTRESSING- EXPERIENCE. 

But reason asks, Why, wiry does the sovereign 
Lord and Controller of all events suffer these things ? 
Does he not possess infinite-love to his people ? And 
is not love productive of everything that is delight- 
ful where power is not wanting ? To which it may 
be answered, That the wisdom of Grod hath so consti- 
tuted it, and that, no doubt, to answer the most valu- 
able ends. Nor can his goodness be impeached, 
since our very trials endear him to us, wean from 
the world, produce humility, excite dependence, and 
make us long for that happy state where all shall be 
unfolded, and we shall clearly see that all things have 
worked together for our good. 

But let us now proceed to consider those circum- 
stances which more particularly enter into the dis- 
tressing experience of the Christian. And, first, we 
may observe, that a deep view of his own un worthi- 
ness often discourages him. Convinced of the holi- 
ness of God's law, and of the purity of the divine 
nature, he mourns over the little conformity he finds 
to the divine image. Observing the pride, the van- 
ity, the indifference, the treachery and unbelief of his 
heart, he trembles before Grod. Other enemies are 
around him, waiting an opportunity for an attack ; 
but this is within him, continually harassing and 
distressing him. Its secret intrigues, its various 
windings and turnings, its mutability and vileness, 
its readiness to coalesce with every surrounding ob- 
ject, its evasive shifts, its artifice and cunning, its in- 
fidelity and hypocrisy, with a long train of other 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 97 

abominations, all tend to depress the mind, weaken 
the faith, and damp the joy of the Christian. O, how 
do these corruptions cause him to drag on heavily ! 
how do they deprive him of comfort, spoil his du- 
ties, and render him a burden to himself ! Perhaps 
no outward troubles ever become such a source of 
distress as this. His reproaches, afflictions, losses, 
and bereavements, may be sanctified ; he may be 
greatly supported under them, yea, his greatest faith, 
patience, resignation, and fortitude, may be display- 
ed in them. Say, Christian, what is it that grieves 
thee most. Is it thy poverty ; the indignity thrown 
upon thee for Christ's sake ; the loss of worldly 
goods ; or the deprivation of health and of earthly 
joys ? No ; it is the risings of corruption ; the cold- 
ness, the little spirituality of thy heart ; the strange 
backwardness, at times, to engage in the best of serv- 
ices ; the vile thoughts, the dull affections towards 
God. It is these things that cause him to hang down 
his head. The apostle Paul could glory in infirmi- 
ties, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and dis- 
tresses for Christ's sake ; but when he comes to be- 
hold himself, and to observe the depravity of his 
own heart, he declares himself to be wretched, and 
the least of all God's saints. It is this that causes 
many to doubt of their interest in the divine favor. 
" Can I," saith the convinced soul, " can I be an ob- 
ject of divine love? Can I, who have nothing but 
vileness and sin, be a subject of grace ? "Where is 
that holy confidence in God, that patience of hope, 



98 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

that ardor of love, that characterize the true be- 
liever? Were I a Christian, should I not oftener 
enjoy communion with God, watch against the 
world, and discover more zeal in his cause ? Ah, 
me ! what inactivity marks my steps ; what feeble de- 
sires, what secret backslidings ! And though I hate 
sin, yet, alas ! how ready to listen to the tempter ! 
how ready to give way to a busy imagination ; ever 
painting things different to what they are ! Alas ! 
how can I approach his throne, who is of purer eyes 
than to behold iniquity ! How can I associate with 
his people, when I myself am so unlike them I How 
can I visit his house to worship him, when my heart 
wanders from him" 

Thus the Christian sometimes mourns, and, forget- 
ting that all these feelings are the result of light and 
of grace, writes bitter things against himself. " Thine 
arrows stick fast in me ; mine iniquities have gone 
over my head: as an heavy burden, they are too 
heavy for me. I am troubled ; I am bowed down 
greatly: I go mourning all the day long. I am 
ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before 
me." Psalm xxxviii. And what is the cause? 
4 'For that which I do, I allow not; for what I 
would, that do I not; but what I hate, that I do. 
The good that I would, I do not; but the evil I 
would not, that I do. "When I would do good, evil 
is present with me. It is true, I delight in the law 
of God, after the inward man, but I see another law 
in my members, warring against the law of my 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 99 

mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of 
sin, which is in my members. wretched man 
that I am I" Eom. vii. 

The insinuations of Satan become another source 
of distress. That there is such a being the Scripture 
gives us every reason to believe (Matt. ii. 29, Eph. 
ii. 2, John xii. 31, 2 Cor. iv. 4),' although many 
deny his existence, and endeavor to explain away 
the effects of his agency, by attributing them to 
vision, a deluded imagination, or a weak mind. This 
being is an enemy of the human race at large, but 
more especially malignant against them who bear 
the divine image. "When the sons of God came to 
present themselves before the Lord, Satan also came 
among them. Job i. 6. Satan hath desired to have 
thee, saith our Lord, that he may sift thee as wheat. 
Luke xxii. 31. Be sober, be vigilant, saith the apos- 
tle, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring 
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 
1 Peter v. 8. There is no doubt but many easily 
persuade themselves, that every evil that arises, 
every temptation that is proposed, comes from this 
quarter ; but whatever extreme such may run into, 
it is evident that the forementioned passages imply 
that much opposition must be expected from this 
great enemy. Those, indeed, who are wholly under 
his influence feel no struggle — they are voluntarily 
going the way he would have them ; but those who 
are travelling a contrary road continually experience 
his attacks. How often does he insinuate that there 



100 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

is no God ; no future state of rewards and punish- 
ments ; no truth in the sacred volume ; that religion 
is unnecessary, and that there can be no harm in 
the gratification of our passions ! Or, if there be a 
God, that he is too great to take notice of the affairs 
of mortals, too merciful to punish their infirmities, 
and too compassionate to require of them uniform 
obedience. Or, allowing that God calls for sincerity 
of heart, devout worship, and unreserved affection, 
yet how ready is he to insinuate that the Christian 
has no interest in his favor ; that his sins are too 
great to be pardoned; that all his past experience 
has been nothing but the effect of his own imagina- 
tion ; that he has been deceiving himself ; that he is 
guilty of presumption ; that, after all his profession, 
he will be cast away from the divine presence, and 
abandoned to everlasting misery and woe ! How 
has he brought past sins to remembrance, accused 
of neglect, ingratitude, and disobedience ; yea, how 
has he pleaded the infirmities of human nature, and 
especially those which have taken place since the 
Christian first made a profession, in order to make 
him believe that he is only a hypocrite ; yea, he has 
sometimes insinuated that he has committed the sin 
against the Holy Ghost, which has filled the mind 
for a season with the greatest distress. Thus wearied 
with the continual assault of this great adversary, 
how discouraged and perplexed has the Christian 
been ! and were it not for the supplies of grace and 
strength from on high, how often would his foot 



DISTRESSING- EXPERIENCE. 101 

have slipped, and his soul been plunged into all the 
horrors of guilt and despair ! 

This great enemy, also, greatly harasses the Christ- 
ian by his vigilance, restless activity, and cunning. 
He knows how to suit his temptations to the various 
circumstances, sentiments, and feelings of mankind. 
He has temptations for the eye, the ear, the taste ; 
yea, all the senses of man. We may change our 
situation, alter our condition, and remove into a dif- 
ferent sphere ; but behold, he is there also. He has 
temptations suitable to youth, to age ; to opulence, to 
poverty ; to retirement, to society ; to ignorance, to 
knowledge; yea, to every object, every circumstance, 
and every place. Nothing of a prosperous nature, 
but what he is ready to turn into a snare ; nothing 
of a discouraging kind, but what he is busy to con- 
vert into a source of discontent. Thus he is ever 
active to spoil, disturb, confuse, and, where he can, 
to destroy. How much does a good man, notwith- 
standing all his vigilance, suffer from this foe of Grod 
and of man ! How often is he wounded in the con- 
flict ! and though the God of his salvation has de- 
termined his final happiness in the end, how fre- 
quently is it interrupted in the way ! 

The Scriptures assure us also that he transforms 
himself into an angel of light (2 Oor. xi. 14), and 
here again the believer suffers. He not only de- 
ceives mere professors, by putting them upon plans 
of activity, of zeal, and of religion, while nothing 
but self is at the bottom, and nothing but error and 



102 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

inconsistency the consequence; but he would fain 
make the true believer suppose that his pride is 
nothing but a proper dignity, or his humility unne- 
cessary abasement ; that his natural courage is a 
Christian fortitude, or that his temerity is a becom- 
ing fear. In innumerable instances of this kind is 
he attacked ; often is he injured, and loses much of 
his comfort through the wiles and stratagems, de- 
vices and cunning artifices of this deceiver of man- 
kind. What necessity does the Christian find here 
for ardent prayer, perpetual watchfulness, and entire 
dependence on a superior Power ; lest he fall a con- 
tinual victim to his insidious snares and cunning 
machinations! 

As the Christian is exposed to opposition from 
the god of this world, so of course he can not fail to 
be discouraged by his emissaries. He stirs up the 
ungodly to slander, misrepresent, and persecute. 
Hence what distress have Christians been involved 
in through the malice and enmity of wicked men ! 
Who can read the eleventh chapter of the Hebrews 
without the deepest emotions of sorrow? "They 
were tortured, not accepting of deliverance, that 
they might obtain a better resurrection. Others 
had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings ; yea, 
moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. They were 
stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were 
slain with the sword ; they wandered about in sheep 
skins, and goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, tor- 
mented : they wandered in deserts, and in moun- 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 103 

tains, and in dens and caves of the earth." And 
since the apostle's day what dreadful accounts does 
history afford of the cruelties exercised towards the 
righteous ! Alas ! what houses ravaged, what pro- 
perty confiscated, what sanguinary methods adopt- 
ed, what multitudes insulted, racked, banished, 
imprisoned, burnt, drowned, starved, or otherwise 
destroyed ! It is true every age has not witnessed 
the same bloody scenes, the same excess of violence, 
the same horrid tortures ; but as true Christians are 
the same in every age, the world has been against 
them ; and if milder laws have been adopted for the 
protection of their persons, and free toleration given 
for the ease of their consciences, yet their sentiments 
have not been less hated by, or their persons less 
obnoxious to, the wicked. As long, also, as Christ- 
ianity inculcates faithfulness and sincerity, purity 
and devotion, and as long as the heart of man re- 
tains its natural enmity against God, must we ex- 
pect this opposition from them in a greater or less 
degree. Our conscientiousness will be construed 
into affected singularity, our solitude termed monk- 
ishness, our zeal denominated forwardness, our expe- 
rience enthusiasm, our patience apathy, and our de- 
votion hypocrisy. Say, Christian, however circum- 
spectly you have acted, whether these have not 
been some of the charges alleged against you by 
the devotees of this world. Their cold looks, their 
bitter speeches, their indifferent conduct towards 
you, have fully convinced you that the spirit ' is the 



104 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

same, and fully explains the words of our Lord: c< If 
ye were of the world, the world would love his 
own: but because ye are not of the world, but I 
have chosen you out of the world, therefore the 
world hateth you." John xv. 19. 

But a good man's opposition does not arise solely 
from the openly profane. There are those who pre- 
tend to be going the same road; but, alas! from 
ignorance, from bigotry, from prejudices, from en- 
thusiasm, or from hatred to vital Christianity, often 
dishearten and perplex: some injure his mind, by 
boasting of their fancied righteousness ; others make 
him tremble, by turning liberty into licentiousness ; 
some are ready to pour anathemas on his head, be- 
cause he can not believe with them ; others treat him 
as a weak brother, because he is not always talking 
of the mj^sterious doctrines and eternal purposes of 
Jehovah ; while others, again, are ready to unchrist- 
ianize him, because he has seen the propriety of 
tempering his zeal with knowledge, and prefers cool 
deliberations to rash decisions. But of all things 
what distresses him most, is to see the once flaming 
professor become an apostate, and turning back 
again to the world, and to his former courses. O, 
how does the Christian feel for the cause ! How is 
religion dishonored, his divine Master neglected, 
and privileges abused, by such a conduct I How do 
the enemies of truth triumph, and what fresh occa- 
sion is given for their insult and contempt ! Apos- 
tates seldom return silent ; they come back tenfold 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 105 

more the children of the devil than ever they were 
before. They are generally filled with the deepest 
malignity ; they give a bad report of the land, and 
as they return, they rise their utmost influence to 
turn others back too. The world is ready to listen 
to their misrepresentations, and thus their prejudice 
is increased. Young professors are struck dumb. 
Those who before were indifferent, now renounce 
all pretensions, while the hypocrite is encouraged in 
his dissimulation, and the ungodly hardened in his 
sins. Christian, what sensations are yours while 
beholding these awful consequences of wilful apos- 
tacy! What tears do you shed! what sorrow do 
you experience, while witnessing your Saviour cru- 
cified afresh, and put to an open shame ! Heb. vi. 
6. Thus, when the Lord said of Saul that he turned 
back from following him, and had not kept his 
commandments, it grieved Samuel ; and he cried 
unto the Lord all night. 1 Sam. xv. 11. Thus 
Jeremiah mourns, " that my head were waters, 
and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep 
day and night, because they have forsaken the law 
which the Lord set before them." Jer. ix. 1, 13. 
Thus Paul laments that Demas had forsaken him, 
having loved this present evil world. 1 Tim. iv. 10. 
But while the Christian is thus concerned, his dis- 
tress is increased by remembering that he, too, is in 
the flesh, and consequently exposed to danger. 
Here again he suffers, and is dejected : how often 
have we heard him say, " Alas ! I, too, also may fall. 
5* 



106 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

AVho can tell ? Perhaps I may one day be overcome 
by the allurements of the world, the violence of my 
own corruptions, or the temptations of Satan. Per- 
haps I may be permitted to commit some gross sin, 
and thus bring dishonor on my profession. I feel 
an evil heart of unbelief ready to start aside. Ah! 
the evil day may come, in which I may be pointed 
to as the wretched apostate, and avoided as the base 
traitor, who has again crucified his Lord I" Thus the 
Christian, overwhelmed with fears, has trembled lest 
he should offend his God, and injure that cause in 
which he is earnestly and sincerely engaged. 

But it may be asked, Are not these fears some- 
times realized ? Do not real Christians themselves 
fall ? We answer, Yes. And here we come to the 
most painful part of his experience. Some, indeed, 
are happily kept, but others have been suffered to 
wander from the path of duty for a season. Moses, 
the meekest of men, was guilty of rashness ; Sam- 
son, the strongest of men, showed his weakness; 
David, the holiest of men, manifested depravity; 
and Peter, the most zealous of men, evidenced his 
cowardice. But do believers live in a course of 
transgression ? do they return no more ? are they 
hardened in their sin? do they feel no compunction 
of heart for their conduct ? Unhappy men ! their 
misery is extreme. "What horrors of conscience, 
what bitter reflections, what a hell do they feel, till 
restored again to the path of duty and the enjoyment 
of the divine presence ! " The true penitent," cries the 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 107 

backsliding Christian, " the true penitent, who never 
before made any profession of religion, penetrated 
with a sense of his un worthiness, confessing his sins, 
and returning with anxious desire to his heavenly 
Father's bosom, may indulge the pleasing thought 
of being received and accepted ; but how can I, who 
have sinned against light, abused mercy, and grieved 
the Holy Spirit, expect to be an object of divine fa- 
vor? How can I, who have violated reason forgotten 
my obligations, neglected my privileges, and broke 
through all the restraints of kindness, how can I 
appear with any degree of confidence at the sacred 
throne? How can I, whose steps have deviated 
from the path of duty, who have listened to the 
voice of worldly charms, and been deaf to the re- 
monstrances of conscience and of truth, enter into 
the divine presence with the least hope of mercy ? 
Ah ! wretched delinquent ! miserable man ! where 
shall I fly ? Where shall I hide my blushing face ? 
What power can relieve me now ? What worldly 
good can be a substitute for the loss of that peace I 
once enjoyed ? Thus the backslider bemoans him- 
self, and, filled with distress, he knows; not what to 
do, where to go, or how to act. Misery is painted 
in his countenance, fear seizes his soul, while guilt 
presses on him as an intolerable load. Under such 
feelings, and in such circumstances as these, it was 
that David exclaimed, "T acknowledge my trans- 
gression, and my sin is ever before me. Purge me 
with hyssop, and I shall be clean ; wash me, and I 



108 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

shall be whiter than snow. Hide thy face from mine 
iniquities, and blot out all my sins. 57 Thus Jonah : 
" Out of the belly of hell cried I. I said, I am cast 
out of thy sight. My soul fainted within me." Thus 
of Peter, too, it is said, that " he went out and wept 
bitterly. 77 Ps. li., Jon. ii., Matt. xxvi. 

But it is not open transgression only that affects 
the Christian. Many have reason to be thankful 
they have been preserved from this ; but there are 
secret backslidings, the wanderings of the thoughts, 
and the coldness of the affections, that prove occa- 
sions of great distress to a tender conscience. He 
would fain imbibe the lovely spirit and imitate the 
noble example of his Saviour ; " but alas ! 7 ' says he, 
"my best hours are not free from sinful infirmities, 
nor my best duties from sinful imperfections. These, 
like a worm at the root, eat away the vigor of my 
graces, and tarnish the beauty of my services. O, 
such swarms of unruly and irregular desires ! When, 
0, when shall they all be brought into subjection ! 
Lord, when I engage in any spiritual duty or hea- 
venly exercise ; when I draw near to thee, and pro- 
mise myself some sweet converse and communion 
with thee, yea, even then, this evil is present with 
me ! O, if I were but rid of it in these hours, what 
a mercy should I esteem it, though I were troubled 
with it at other times ! Could I be but free from it 
in the seasons of duty, on Sabbaths, and sacramental 
occasions, what a comfort would it be ! But, alas ! 
sin is most active and busy in such seasons ; it takes 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 109 

off my heart from duty, it interrupts all my thoughts, 
and carries off my soul from my beloved. So that 
even the good motions which come from the Spirit 
of God are either interrupted or mingled with some 
evil tendencies. No sooner do I attempt to do any- 
thing for God and his glory, but I find something 
presented, either of self-love or vain glory ; hypo- 
crisy or unbelief will be springing up, either to dis- 
tress my soul, to prevent or spoil all my services. 
Lord, I come hither to meet with thee, I come to ob- 
tain fresh strength against sin, and yet it seems to bear 
down all before it. I come for light, but behold 
darkness ; for comfort, but behold trouble. Once I 
thought I had little to do but to triumph over all 
my corruptions, slain, as I then hoped, by the power 
and grace of Christ. My heart and affections be- 
gan to warm and melt in duty ; my soul seemed to 
get near to God ; but alas ! how different is it now 
with me ! sin seems more powerful than ever. O, 
what reason, then, have I to complain with the 
apostle, that, when I would do good, evil is present 
with me !" (See Dr. Stafford on the vii. ch. Eom., 
Ser. xx., p. 383.) 

Another source of distress to the Christian is the 
hiding of God's face. This is a sore trial, as we may 
find from the language of those who have expe- 
rienced it. " 0," says Job, "that I knew where I 
might find him, that I might come even to his seat. 
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and back- 
ward, but I cannot perceive him. On the left hand, 



110 DISTRESSING- EXPERIENCE. 

where he doth work, but I can not behold him ; he 
hideth himself on the right hand, that I can not see 
him.' 7 "Lord," says David, u why castest thou off 
my soul ? Why hidest thou thy face from me ? I 
am afflicted and ready to die : while I suffer thy ter- 
rors, I am distracted." " He hath led me," says 
Jeremiah, " and brought me into darkness, but not 
into light. Surely against me he is turned ; he 
turneth his hand against me all the day. He hath 
hedged me about, that I cannot get out; he hath 
made my chains heavy." So Zion complains, " The 
Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgot- 
ten me." Job. xxiii., Ps. lxxxviii. 15., Lam. iii. 1, 
etc., Is. xlix. 14. 

Ah! what does the. Christian feel in this unhappy 
situation ! All the beauties of creation, the blessings 
of Providence, the smiles of the creature, or the won- 
ders of art, can not fill up that aching void which he 
now experiences. In proportion as he loves his Grod, 
so he feels his distress arise when deprived of the 
light of his countenance. As thousands of inferior 
luminaries could not supply the place of the sun, so 
he finds that all the inferior joys of the present state 
can not be a substitute for the glorious Sun of Eight- 
eousness. Existence itself becomes a burden ; every- 
thing is insipid. His soul refuses comfort ; ministers, 
ordinances, sabbaths, yea, even the promises them- 
selves, afford him no consolation. He walks in dark- 
ness, and has no light. Now it is, too, he begins 
to doubt whether he ever knew the truth, and felt its 



DISTRESSING- EXPERIENCE. Ill 

power. He is almost ready to imagine that God is 
about to give him up to the horrors of a guilty con- 
science. The monuments of divine justice are brought 
to his view: he trembles at the recollection of an 
Ac'han, a Saul, a Judas. He reads those passages of 
Scripture which say, " I also will choose their delu- 
sion, and will bring their fears upon them. This 
shall ye have of mine hand, ye shall lie down in 
sorrow. They shall call upon me, but I will not an- 
swer ; they shall seek me early ; but they shall not find 
me. I will laugh at their calamity, I will mock when 
their fear cometh." Is. i. 11, Prov. i. 23, etc. These 
scriptures he is ready to apply to himself, and some- 
times such has been the greatness of his distress, that, 
with a busy imagination and a gloomy mind, every 
circumstance has been converted into an occasion of 
grief. If a threatening be pronounced from the pul- 
pit, he thinks it against him. If a friend inadver- 
tently drop an unpleasant word, he conceives that is 
sent by Providence as a testimony against him. If 
affliction seizes him, he imagines it is the wrath of 
God poured out upon him. If even he meet but with 
a look of indifference from any of the saints, he con- 
strues it to their contempt of him, and that God thus 
suffers it for his punishment. Thus the Christian 
sometimes thinks all things are against him. Yet 
however, notwithstanding all, he can not go back ; 
he dare not give up : he struggles and longs for de- 
liverance ; nor can he be satisfied until the Lord ap- 
pear, and the Spirit bear witness with his spirit, that 



112 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

he is born of Grod. It is this he wishes to ascertain ; 
and, like the poet, exclaims, 

" T'is a point I long to know ; 
Oft it causes anxious thought, 
Do I love the Lord or no ? 
Am I his, or am I not? 

11 If I love, why am I thus ? 

"Why this dull and lifeless frame ? 
Hardly, sure, can they be worse, 
Who have never heard his name. 

" Lord, decide the doubtful case ; 

Thou, who art thy people's Sun, 
Shine upon thy work of grace, 
If it be indeed begun." Newton". 

We may add once more, that, to many Christians, 
the thought of approaching dissolution becomes a 
source of distress. Death, indeed, in itself is awful, 
and few can look forward to it without feeling some 
degree of tremor ; but of all characters, none ought 
to meet it with such confidence as the Christian. To 
him it will be a pleasant change, and so far from being 
a matter of dread, it should excite him to rejoice. 
Yet, alas ! how many Christians are all their lifetime 
subject to bondage through the fear of it ! They can 
look back and bear a happy testimony to that good- 
ness and mercy which have always followed them ; 
but when they look forward, behold, it is all a gloom. 
" If, after all," say they, "we should be left to sink 
in the swellings of Jordan ! How dreadful then to 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 113 

find that God has withdrawn his influence, and to be 
left to struggle with pain and with death without his 
support ! O, how awful to see the King of Terrors in 
dread array : to witness the world receding, eternity 
opening, and the summons sent to appear before the 
Most High God, to give an account of every action 
done in the body, whether good or bad !" Thus 
Christians sometimes increase their own misery, and 
through unbelief, experience those sorrows in life 
which scarcely ever are they suffered to feel in the 
hour of death. "We have now just cursorily run 
through the trials of a Christian. They may not be 
felt alike by all. Some may be more exposed to one, 
and some to another; but they all- have something to 
struggle with while here. It is necessary, l^wever, 
to answer an objection, which, on a review of this 
part of the Christian experience, may be started. 
" Where is the advantage of being a Christian," it 
may be said, "if there be so much distress in his 
experience?" We answer, were this distress to last 
always, the question might be well asked. But 
this is not the case.* " Weeping may endure for 
a night, but joy cometh in the morning. He that 
goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall 
doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his 
sheaves with him." Ps. xxx. 5, Ps. cxxxvi. 6, His 
experience, it is true, is distressing, but it is all a 
token for good ; it is all for a wise end. He weeps 

* See the next chapter. 



114 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

for the present, that lie may rejoice in future. He is 
cast down, but it is that he may be lifted up. But 
after all, supposing that his sorrow was perpetual 
here on earth, still it is better to mourn here, than 
for ever hereafter ; to weep in time, than in eternity ; 
to feel a hell in this world, than in that which is to 
come. " Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall 
be comforted. To this man will I look, even to him 
that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth 
at my word. He shall wipe away all tears from their 
eyes ; *and there shall be no more death, neither sor- 
row, nor crying — they shall see his face — and reign 
for ever and ever." Matt. v. 4, Is. Ixvi. 2, Eev. 
xxi. 4. 

, But £can not dismiss this chapter without giving 
encouragement to those whose experience is so dis- 
tressing. Eemember that, if God had determined to 
have left you to yourself, to have abandoned you to 
wretchedness, he would not have penetrated your 
heart, convinced you of your depravity, wrought 
concern in your breast, and filled you with such anx- 
ious desire to glorify him. That deep humiliation, 
that strong conviction, that pungent distress you feel 
on account of your sin, is not the work of nature 
nor the production of Satan ; but of God, who 
wounds, that he may heal; who kills that he may 
make alive. 

But you are looking forward, perhaps, to discour- 
agements yet to come. Your soul is cast down within 
you, because there are still powerful enemies to be en- 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 115 

countered, and various troubles to be borne. Christ- 
ian, recollect the advice of thy best friend : " Take 
no thought for the morrow ; for the morrow shall 
take thought for the things of itself; sufficient unto 
the day-is the evil thereof." Matt. vi. 84. Consider, 
too, that you have a wise guide ; one who has travelled 
the way before you, who knows all its difficulties, 
and is well acquainted with all its dangers. He can 
cause you to know the way wherein you should 
walk. Follow his footsteps, and you can not go 
wrong. Act in character as one of his; for "when 
he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before 
them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his 
voice.' 7 John x. 4. 

You have also a strong guard. In a dangerous 
road a guide is necessary, but is not always sufficient. 
But you, Christian, have both a guide and a pro- 
tector. What enemy but he can conquer? what 
mountain but he can make a plain ? what swelling 
flood but he can in a moment dry up ? He can 
make all things subservient to the accomplishment 
of his purposes and the safety of his people ; and 
what has he not said ? " When thou passest through 
the waters I will be with thee, and through the 
rivers they shall not overflow thee: when thou 
walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt, 
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Is. xliii. 2. 

You shall also not only be protected, but supplied. 
You may be faint by the way, your strength may be 
nearly exhausted, your hopes may be low, your 



116 DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 

faith shaken; but "my God shall supply all your 
need, according to his riches in glory by Christ 
Jesus." He hath appointed places of refreshment 
by the way. His Sabbath, his table, his word, his 
mercy-seat, are all for your accommodation. Here, 
Christian traveller, you shall be supported, your 
spiritual strength renewed ; you shall yet say, " The 
Lord is my Shepherd : I shall not want. He maketh 
me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me 
beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul ; he 
leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for his 
name's sake." 

Consider farther, too, for your encouragement, 
those who have gone before : you are not travelling 
an unknown road, through which none have passed. 
Consider their example, their supports, their patience, 
their perseverance, their final triumph, and remem- 
ber, their God is yours. The same hand that con- 
ducted them is leading you. Eemember, too, O 
weary pilgrim, that you are not a solitary traveller ; 
you are not going alone. Look round you, and 
behold others in the same road. Throw off reserve, 
open your heart, and by the communication of your 
own experience you will in turn know the experi- 
ence of others ; by which you will see that they are 
conflicting with the same enemies, meeting the same 
difficulties, and enduring the same trials as yourself. 

Consider, finally, the end you have in view. You 
are not walking in a path strewed with flowers, 
which, leads to shame ; but a path which, although 



DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE. 117 

set with thorns, yet leads to glory. Yon may look 
forward with pleasure : every passing moment de- 
creases the sum of your trials. The vehicle of time 
is carrying you rapidly away from all the storms 
and tempests of life. Think how soon you will be 
home, and at home never to return. What, then, 
are a few trials by the way, when compared to the 
happiness of the end ? Think how much the crown 
of glory will outweigh the crown of thorns. 0, how 
pleasant to reflect on the bright scenes of eternal 
felicity ! " When the earthly house of this taberna- 
cle be dissolved, we shall have a building of God ; 
an house not made with hands, eternal in the hea- 
vens." " When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, 
then shall we also appear with him in glory." 

" There shall we bathe our weary souls 
In seas of heavenly rest, 
And not a wave of trouble roll 
Across our peaceful breast." Watts. 



118 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 



CHAPTEE VI. 

ON HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

While some Christians are travelling in the dark 
valley, filled with fear, and ready to despond under 
a sense of their unworthiness, there are others who 
are on the mount, whose hopes are bright, and 
whose prospects are delightful and unbounded- 
They can take a retrospective view of the divine 
conduct, and with a joyful confidence declare, that 
he hath done all things well. They can look round 
them, and with faith discern a wise hand directing 
every event, and overruling all for their good. 
They can look before them, and with joy anticipate 
the inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, 
and that fadeth not away. Such is the happy "ex- 
perience of many Christians. Let it not be under- 
stood, however, that by happy experience, I always 
mean remarkable high emotions, ecstatic pleasures, 
or ravishing transports. These are scattered with a 
sparing hand, and are chiefly reserved for a better 
world. Prosperity of soul may exist without them, 
as the health of the body may be sound without the 
animal spirits being always lively. Where, indeed, 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 119 

religion flourishes, cheerfulness will not be absent ; 
and, from the nature of soul prosperity, we may 
conclude that it will produce that pleasure which 
contrary principles prescribe. Yet let him that is 
sighing for spiritual health remember that he may 
attain to it without always experiencing the highest 
sensible joys. It is, perhaps, necessary to make this 
remark, as many have mistaken the nature of soul 
prosperity, and placed it more in strong and un- 
speakable sensations, than in a contrite and humble 
spirit. That may be termed a happy experience in 
general, in which love to God is the prevailing prin- 
ciple, notwithstanding there may be many discour- 
agements in the way ; for where this becomes, as it 
were, the ruling passion, everything else will be 
brought into subserviency to it. The heart will be 
affected, the thoughts generally conversant about 
divine things, and the deportment such as becometh 
the Gospel of Christ. 

But may we not stop here and ask, Is this the 
object sought for by the generality of the human 
race ? Is this the utmost wish of their hearts ? Is 
it for this they groan, they toil, they exert them- 
selves? Ah ! sin, what hast thou done ? How hast 
thou inverted everything ; and into what a deluded 
and dangerous path hast thou directed the footsteps 
of man ! Any kind of prosperity is desired in pre- 
ference to that of the soul. The honor of the world, 
the accumulation of riches, the decoration of the 
person, the seat of power, the plaudits of the multi- 



120 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

tude ; these are objects infinitely more important in 
the view of most men. These are the idols at whose 
shrine any sacrifice is made, any inconvenience suf- 
fered ; so that these gods may be propitious. For 
what is all that bustle we see in life, that vigorous 
activity, that deep concern, that painful anxiety? 
Tor what that the day is spent in labor, and the 
night refusing sleep ? For what that ingenuity plans 
her schemes ; that patience waits ; that perseverance 
crowns her labors ? Ah ! for what that talents are 
displayed, opportunities embraced, and zeal, busy 
zeal, pushing into action ? I ask, for what are all 
these ? For the glory of our Maker ; for the pros- 
perity of the soul ; for the promotion of truth, and 
the enlargement of her empire? Ah I no. This 
activity is all confined to time : the end that stimu- 
lates the exertion extends no farther than this world. 
The concern is for the body. All this mighty bus- 
tle, this laborious service, is for a trifle, a bubble, a 
nothing; while the improvement of the mind, the 
care of the soul, the favor of God, are treated with 
contempt, or absolutely forgotten ! ! ! 

Thanks be to thy name, however, Father of 
Mercies, that while with sorrow we view the degen- 
eracy of man, yet we can rejoice that there are some 
whom thou hast formed for thyself, and who shall 
show forth thy praise ; who, while many are going 
about, and saying, Who will show us any good? are 
imploring thy favor, choosing the one thing need- 
ful, and with willing feet are running the way of 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 121 

tliy commandments. These are the characters who 
value the health of the mind, who place not their 
happiness in sensual gratifications, who are truly- 
wise, and shall finally receive that crown of glory 
which awaits the righteous. Yes, " These shall 
walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In 
thy name shall they rejoice all the day, and in thy 
righteousness shall they be exalted. These shall 
flourish like the palm-tree ; they shall grow like a 
cedar in Lebanon. They shall bring forth fruit in 
old age. They shall come to the grave in a full age, 
like as a shock of corn cometh in his season. Yes, . 
these shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of 
their Father. These shall be for ever with the Lord." 
Ps. lxxxix. 16, Ps. xcii. 10, 11, Job. v. 26, Matt. xiii. 
43, 1 Thess. iv. 17. 

Let us now proceed to consider more particularly 
the happy experience of a Christian, or what may be 
considered as evidencing prosperity of soul. 

And first, we may observe, that it is attended with 
increasing knowledge. It is the divine command, 
" Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ." It is the divine promise, 
a that the righteous shall go forth, and grow up as 
calves of the stall ;" and it is a portrait drawn by the 
divine hand, " that the path of the just is as the 
shining light, that shineth more and more unto the 
perfect day." 2 Pet. iii. 18, Mai. iv. 2, Prov. iv. 18. 
From all these passages it is evident that the know- 
ledge of a Christian is not stationary — it is progress- 
6 



122 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

ive. He is daily adding to his stock. The Sun of 
Truth, rises with increasing radiance on his mind, and 
as his knowledge is of the best kind, it can not fail 
to be productive of the best feelings. It is true, he 
sees more of his own ignorance, but it leads him 
to appreciate that light which alone can direct to 
eternal felicity. The nearer he approaches to the 
fountain of intelligence, the more he is humbled 
under a sense of his own contracted powers. This, 
however, is no barrier to his progress ; it rather 
stimulates him to be more diligent. He does not 
sit down in indolent carelessness, and say, " I can 
not know all; objects are too vast for my compre- 
hension. The wisest, after all, must remain igno- 
rant. I shall give up the pursuit, and be content 
with what I have." No ; the infinite loveliness 
of the divine mind appears so delightful and glo- 
rious to him, that he desires to know more. The 
perfections of Jehovah, though they fill him with 
awe, yet engage his attention, and excite his study. 
The glories of the Saviour are continually unfolding 
to his view. With delight he contemplates the at- 
tributes he possesses, the offices he sustains, the rela- 
tions he bears, and the promises he has made. Here 
he always finds something new, something wonderful, 
something beautiful. Like the angels, he is employ- 
ed " in looking into these things," but with a pleasure 
superior to theirs, as he is more interested than they. 
0, what joy does he feel in an increasing acquaintance 
with the Saviour's love ! He sits down under his 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 123 

shadow with great delight, while he exclaims, "Thou 
art fairer than the children of men, the altogether 
lovely. Who would not fear, who would not love 
thee? Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there 
is none on earth I desire beside thee. Thou art the 
strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." Ps. 
xlv. 2, Ps. lxxiii. 25. 

As the understanding of the Christian becomes 
more and more enlightened, he discerns more of the 
excellency, and feels more of the energy, of the sacred 
Scriptures. The Bible contains not only milk for 
babes, but strong meat for them that are full of age ; 
even those who, by reason of use, have their senses 
exercised to discern both good and evil. The Christ- 
ian is constantly increasing in his knowledge of these 
divine truths ; and perhaps nothing can exceed the 
pleasure he feels in a growing discovery of the har- 
mony, the unity, the simplicity, the meaning of the 
word of God. At first, perhaps, he received the 
Bible as divinely inspired, merely upon the assertion 
of others, or because it was the book received among 
the community with whom he was brought up ; but 
now, having examined it for himself, he is fully con- 
vinced that the marks of divinity are upon it. For- 
merly- there were many parts whioh, at a distance, ap- 
peared like so many barren spots, but on a nearer 
approach, ho has found fruitful and pleasant. The 
older he grows, and the more experience he has, the 
more he sees that this is the only sure guide. He 
finds himself cautioned by its warnings, encouraged 



124 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

by its promises, established by its doctrine, directed 
by its precepts, animated by its examples, and con- 
soled by its prospects. He finds himself amply repaid 
in the contemplation of its various contents. Its rich- 
ness, its simplicity, its purity, its effect, render it an 
invaluable treasure in his estimation. "I rejoice in 
thy word (said David) as one that findeth great spoil. 
The entrance thereof giveth light. The law of thy 
mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold- and 
silver." Ps. cxix. 

Again ; strong faith is another part of the Christ- 
ian's happy experience. He is enabled to give 
credit to God's word, to believe in his promises, to 
submit to his providences, and refer all his concerns 
into his hand. " I know that my Eedeemer liveth," 
said Job. David says, " The Lord is my light, and 
my salvation ; whom shall I fear ? he is the strength 
of my heart ; of whom shall I be afraid ?" " Although 
(says Habakkuk) the fig-tree shall not blossom, 
neither shall fruit be in the vines ; the labor of the 
olive shall fail, and the field shall yield no meat, the 
flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall 
be no herd in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the Lord ; 
I will joy in the God of my salvation." " I am pur- 
suaded (says the apostle Paul) that neither death, nor 
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor 
things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor 
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to sepa- 
rate us from the love of God, which is in Christ 
Jesus our Lord." Job xix. 26, Ps. xxvii. 1, Hab. 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 125 

iii. 17, 18, Eom. viii. 38, 39. Such are the noble 
declarations and delightful effects of faith ! With 
what pleasure can the Christian look up to the Sov- 
ereign of the universe, believing him to work all 
things according to the counsel of his own will ! 
They see his wise hand in all the events of time ; 
they know he leads them by a right way. Without 
presuming, they can read their names in the book 
of life. They have the witness within themselves 
that they are born of God. In times of outward ca- 
lamity they can repose confidence in a faithful God. 
What pleasing instances have we of this ! Time 
would fail us to mention a Moses, a Noah, an Abra- 
ham, a Joseph, a Daniel, a Paul, with a number of 
others, who faced danger without fear, encountered 
difficulties without murmuring, endured hardships 
with fortitude, and bore opposition with patience. 
Nor let it be supposed, that these feelings were pe- 
culiar to extraordinary men, such as patriarchs, 
prophets, and apostles. Christians in general, when 
in a state of soul prosperity, can commit all into the 
hands of their sovereign Lord. They know in 
whom they believe, and that he will supply their 
wants, and be with them to the end. When Mr. Dod, 
in the time of the wars, was plundered of all he had 
in his house, his wife was in great distress about it. 
" Wife (says he), be not troubled ; I have a bond 
yet to live upon." " What bond ?" said she. " Why, 
this bond (said he) in the Hebrews ; c I will never 
leave thee, nor forsake thee.' Come, let us put this 



126 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

bond into suit; let us go to prayer." The next 
morning the neighbors sent him in more than he had 
lost. " I am filled with the grace of God (said the 
pious Eivet in his last illness), I fear no more the 
inconveniences of temporal life ; the Spirit of God 
strengthens me, and affords me abundant consola- 
tions. I have no doubt of my salvation. He hath 
set me on high. He hath hid me in his hiding place. 
I am like a vessel filled with pure water, which no 
agitation troubles. 

Sincere and strong affection to God enters into 
the Christian's happy experience. His mind not 
only perceives the excellency of the divine character, 
and the beauty of holiness, but his heart is powerfully 
drawn to God as the best of beings. He feels ardent 
affection to him, and longs to enjoy more of him. 
With what delight he exclaims, " O thou whom un- 
seen I love, by what powerful influence dost thou 
attract my soul ! The eye has not seen, nor the ear 
heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man to 
conceive what thou art ; and yet I love thee beyond 
all that mine eye hath seen, or my ear heard ; beyond 
all that my heart can comprehend. Thou dwellest 
in heights of glory, to which no human thought can 
soar ; and yet thou art nearer and more intimate to 
my soul than any of the objects of sense. These 
ears have never heard thy voice, and yet I am better 
acquainted with thee, and can rely on thee with more 
confidence than on the dearest friend I have on 
earth. My heart cleaves to thee, O Lord, as its 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 127 

only refuge, and finds in thee a secret and constant 
spring of consolation. I speak to thee with the 
utmost confidence, and think thy being my greatest 
happiness. I love thee. Thus far I can speak, but 
all the rest is unutterable, and I must leave the 
pleasing tale untold till I can talk in the language 
of immortality, and then I'll begin the transporting 
story, which will never come to an end, but be still 
and still beginning ; for thy beauties, thou fairest 
of ten thousand, will still be new, and shall kindle 
fresh ardor in my soul to all eternity ! The sacred 
flame shall rise, nor find any limits till thy perfec- 
tions find a period. I love thee ; and, O thou that 
knowest all things, read the characters that love has 
drawn on my heart: what excellence but thine in 
heaven and earth could raise such aspirations of 
soul, such sublime and fervent affections, as those I 
feel ? What could fix my spirit but boundless per- 
fection ? "What is there else for whose sake I could 
despise all created glory? Ye flowery vanities of 
the earth, and yon sparkling glories of the skies, 
your blandishments are vain, while I pursue an ex- 
cellence that casts a reproach on all your glory. I 
would fain close my eyes on all the various and 
lovely appearances you present, and would open 
them on a brighter scene. I have desires which 
nothing visible can gratify, to which no material 
things are suitable. O, when shall I find objects 
more entirely agreeable to my intellectual faculties ? 
My soul springs forward in pursuit of "a distant good, 



128 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

which. I followed by some faint ray of light, which 
only glimmers by short intervals before me. O, 
when will it disperse the clouds, and break out in 
full splendor on my soul I" (See Mrs. Howe's Devoid 
Exercises.) 

Notwithstanding the Christian considers all Here 
as vanity and vexation of spirit, and longs for the 
presence of God in a future state, yet it must not be 
concluded that he is destitute of holy joy. Nothing 
is more common than to hear the world inveigh 
against religious characters, as persons who are of a 
melancholy cast, unfit for society, and strangers to 
happiness. If by happiness they mea,n that which 
the world only affords, the mere gratification of the 
appetite, the frivolous pleasures of time and sense, 
we grant they are not happy in their sense of the 
word. For they seek not felicity in these objects ; 
they are taught to set their affections on things 
above, and not on things on the earth. Their taste 
is spiritual, their judgment of things enlightened, 
their affections placed on nobler objects than what 
this world can produce. They have, it is true, their 
moments of depression, their seasons of distress, and, 
alike with others, are exposed to the common cala- 
mities of human life. But although weeping may 
endure for a night, yet joy cometh in the morning. 
Unto the upright there ariseth. light in darkness. 
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. If there 
be any truth in the declarations of holy men, in the 
testimony of experience, and the decisions of sacred 



HAPPY EXPEKIENCE. 129 

writ, the righteous are of all men the most happy. 
" I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be 
joyful in my God ; for he hath clothed me with the 
garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the 
robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh him- 
self with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself 
with her jewels." Is. lxi. 10. " Whom having not 
seen, ye love ; whom, though now ye see him not, 
yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and 
full of glory." 1 Pet. i. 8. The ways of wisdom 
are ways of pleasantness, and all the paths thereof 
are peace. Pro v. iii. 17. Indeed, what can be more 
reasonable than to suppose this ? My God, if there 
be not happiness in communion with thee, in the 
enjoyment of thy presence, in the prospect of 
beholding thy glory for ever in a better state, where 
can happiness be found in the universe ? If he be 
not happy whose sins are pardoned, whose conscience 
is purified, whose feet are directed in the way to 
heaven, who then can be happy? If he be not 
happy whose nature is renovated, whose rebellious 
passions are subdued, whose heart is attached to the 
truth, who then is ? If he be not happy whose mind 
is enlightened, whose will is inclined to good, whose 
soul is taken up in the contemplation of the divine 
glories, who then is ? If he be not happy who has 
the Bible for his rule, the Holy Spirit for his guide, 
angels and ministers for his attendants, saints for his 
companions, heaven for his end, and God himself 
for his portion ; ah ! if such be not happy, then there 
6* 



130 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

is no happiness ! It is only a name ; and the whole 
universe is destined to perpetual woe and misery. 
But the Christian does experience a joy, and that of 
the purest, of the sublimest, of the noblest kind. 
" His soul dwells at ease. The peace of God, which 
passeth all understanding, keepeth his heart and 
mind. He glories even in tribulation, and rejoices 
in hope of the glory of God." Ps. xxv. 13, Phil, 
iv. 6, Eom. v. 3. The world may reproach, trou- 
bles may assail, enemies may oppose, a thousand 
difficulties may arise ; but when the soul prospers, 
all is well. For thine it is, O adorable Emanuel, to 
keep the feet of thy saints ; thine to support them 
in the trying hour : thine to inspire them with holy 
joy; and thine, at last, to crown with eternal glory. 
We have before observed, that the soul may be in 
health without always experiencing transports of 
joy, and that the Christian, though he may be happy, 
yet is not in the present state to expect continual 
ecstasies. There have been some instances, how- 
ever, of extraordinary experience and singular mani- 
festations, which, as some would think complete en- 
thusiasm to believe, so I think, on the other hand, 
it would be incredulity to deny. I am no advocate 
for visions, revelations, and singular impulses [see 
chapter on " Advice respecting Experience"]; yet 
there have been, and may be, instances of sublime 
consolation, which, upon the most rational survey 
of things according to Scripture, may be consider- 
ed as divine. " It would take up many whole 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 131 

pages," sa3 r s Dr. "Watts, "to cite such instances as we 
find upon record in the lives of particular persons. 
Many such may be found in Mr. Fleming's Fulfilling 
of the Scripture. Even in our day, we have the ex- 
ample of a person whose solid sense, whose deep sa- 
gacity, whose sedate judgment, and the superior ex- 
cellence of his reasoning powers, leave no room to 
charge him with vain and delusive raptures of a 
heated imagination. The name is the venerable 
Mr. John Howe. The name commands respect, and 
confirms the narrative. He wrote the following 
paragraphs in the blank leaf of his own Bible. 

" December 26, 1689. After that I had long se- 
riously and repeatedly thought with myself, that, 
besides a full and undoubted assent to the objects of 
faith, a vivifying, savory taste and relish of them 
was also necessary, that, with stronger force, and 
more powerful energy, they might penetrate into the 
most inward centre of my heart, and there, being 
most deeply fixed and rooted, govern my life ; and 
that there could be no other sure ground whereon to 
conclude and pass a sound judgment on my good es- 
tate outward, and after I had in my course of preach- 
ing been largely insisting on 1 Cor. ii. 12, ■ This is 
my rejoicing, the testimony of a good conscience/ 
&c, this very morning I awoke out of a most ravish- 
ing and delightful dream, that a wonderful and co- 
pious stream of celestial rays from the lofty throne 
of the Divine Majesty did seem to dart into my open 
and expanded breast. I have often since, with great 



132 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

complacency, reflected on that very signal pledge 
of special divine favor vouchsafed to me on that 
noted memorable day, and have with repeated fresh 
pleasure tasted the delights thereof. 

" But what of the same kind I sensibly felt through 
the admirable bounty of my God, and the most plea- 
sant comforting influence of the Holy Spirit on Oct. 
22, 1704, far surpassed the most expressive words 
my thoughts can suggest. I then experienced an in- 
expressibly pleasant melting of heart, tears gushing 
out of mine eyes for joy, that God should shed 
abroad his love abundantly through the hearts of 
men, and that for this very purpose mine own heart 
should be so signally possessed of and by his blessed 
Spirit." 

Of Mr. Flavel it is said, " That in a journey on 
horseback he fell into a divine meditation, wherein 
he had such tokens of the love of God, and his inter- 
est in the divine favor, manifested to him, that greatly 
surpassed all the rational and inferential evidences 
that ever he had, though he was known to be a close 
walker with God, an eminent saint, and a lively 
preacher of the blessed Gospel of Christ." 

These instances are not mentioned to discourage 
those whose joys do not run so high, but to show 
that God in his infinite goodness is pleased some- 
times to favor his people, even while here, with 
remarkable manifestations of his glory. They who 
have them must consider themselves as highly privi- 
leged ; and they who have them not, however, must 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 133 

not despair, since the Lord acts as a Sovereign in 
the dispensation of his favor, and, after all, it is his 
grace, and not his consolations, that saves us. But 
we proceed, in the next place, to observe, that deep 
humility and meekness of spirit peculiarly character- 
izQ the prosperous Christian. Prosperity of soul 
consists in living near to God ; and living near to 
God will always produce humility. In proportion 
as we approach the Divine Majesty, the more we 
shall be confounded and overwhelmed with the 
radiant beams of his glory. Who is it that boasts, 
that thinks much of himself, that is perpetually talk- 
ing of his own merit and abilities ? Surely it is not 
the prosperous Christian : it must be the man who 
knows little of himself, who lives at a distance from 
the Fountain of light and perfection. The discover- 
ies which the Gospel makes of the glorious attributes 
of the Creator, and the discoveries which grace 
makes of the imperfections and depravity of the 
creature, cause the Christian to lie low in his own 
esteem, and to think highly of his God. Thus 
Isaiah, after a view he had of the divine glory, ex- 
claims, " Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am 
a man of unclean lips ; and I dwell in the midst of 
a people of unclean lips ; for mine eyes have seen 
the King, the Lord of Hosts." Thus the apostle, 
notwithstanding all his superior attainments, calls 
himself " the least of all saints:" so John, when he 
beheld the glory of his Eedeemer, was so overpow- 
ered that he fell at his feet as dead. We may con- 



134 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

sider humility as one of the first and one of the 
surest evidences of the health of the mind. And it 
is this which, " though the most lowly, is the most 
lovely of the Christian graces, and throws an amia- 
ble lustre on all the rest. It is in the Christian life 
the same as the well-disposed shades in a picture, 
which set it off to advantage ; for though the shades 
are not striking in themselves, yet they give an 
inexpressible beauty to the whole piece. "* How 
pleasant is it to see the Christian in this spirit! 
While the proud are racked with envy and jealousy, 
pushed on by ambition and vanity, so as to become 
restless and wretched, the humble Christian walks 
on quietly and contentedly. The provocations of 
men do not rufl&e him ; the reproaches of the world 
do not depress him. The happy spirit he possesses 
teaches him to think lowly of himself, to bear with 
injuries, to forgive unkindness. If he hears that 
any one has reviled him, he is ready to say with the 
philosopher, "Had he known me better, he would 
have said worse things of me than that." The opin- 
ion of the world, popular applause, and honors 
which fade away, are not sought for by him. And 
as he aims not at these objects, so he meets not with 
those vexations which generally disturb the minds 
of those who are anxiously pursuing them. He 
considers himself more secure in the valley than on 
the mountain ; as the weakest plant is preserved in 
the one, while the loftiest tree is often torn to pieces 

* Mason. 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 135 

by the tempest on the other. It must not be, how- 
ever, understood that the Christian is of a weak and 
pusillanimous mind ; that his views of himself and 
of things destroy his peace, and prevent his rejoic- 
ing. We grant that there may sometimes be an 
extreme even in this, and that the enemy may take 
an advantage to confine our attention so to our 
unworthiness, as almost to prevent our application 
to Christ as the Saviour. But true, genuine humil- 
ity is of a calm, peaceful, happy nature. Yea, if 
happiness is to be found anywhere, it is in that 
breast where humility reigns. It is the grand key 
to contentment ; and a man can only be at rest as 
he is humble. To such a character afflictions are 
met without repining, and borne without impa- 
tience. Duties are not thought hard, nor crosses 
unnecessary. Candor, meekness, forbearance, pa- 
tience, kindness, are the lovely train that attend the 
abodes of humility, while they adorn and bless its 
happy subject. 

Further, the prosperous Christian enjoys frequent 
communion with his God. " Truly," says St. John, 
"our fellowship is with the Father, and with his 
Son Jesus Christ." "God is faithful (says St. Paul), 
by whom ye were called to the fellowship of his 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Jo. i. 3, 1 Cor. i. 9. 
What happy moments does he spend in the enjoy- 
ment of the divine presence ! How delightfully he 
contemplates the attributes, the works, the provi- 
dences, the promises, of the Almighty! At the 



136 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

throne of grace, in reading the sacred Oracles, in 
hearing the glorious Gospel, in singing divine 
praises, and sitting down at his Master's table, what 
happy communion does he enjoy ! In contemplat- 
ing the works of creation, the dispensations of Pro- 
vidence, and the displays of mercy and grace, his 
heart is drawn away from the world, and lifted up 
to heaven. With. David he can say, "Thou hast 
put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that 
their corn and wine increased. He finds that in the 
light of his heavenly King's countenance there is 
life, and that his favor is as the cloud of the latter 
rain." Ps. iv. 6, Prov. xvi. 15. None know, but 
those who have experienced it, what sublime joys, 
what divine tranquillity, flow into the soul when 
thus communing with God. Here it is that the 
Christian forgets all the toils, the cares, the troubles 
of the way. Here that his mind is absorbed in 
delightful contemplations of the wonders of redeem- 
ing love. Here that he reads his name in the book 
of life, and rejoices in God as his portion. Here 
that he shakes the dust from his feet, catches the 
celestial fire that warms his heart, and expands all 
the powers of his soul. Here that he looks forward 
and anticipates with the highest pleasure, the crown, 
the immortality, the glory, the joys, which are to 
come. It is true he finds himself in a world where 
objects touch him on every side, and where a thou- 
sand things stand ready to draw off his mind, and 
thus interrupt his pleasures. But he is anxious 



HAPPY EXPEKIENCE. 137 

every day to keep up this communion with God, 
and to make every event, Avhether prosperous or 
adverse, subservient to it. " that I may set the 
Lord before me continually ! Thou hast been the 
kind guardian of my life ; should I not then devote 
myself to thee? Should I not commit myself to 
thy care ? I know not what a day may bring forth : 
but this I know, that all events are in thy hand, 
and that thou canst not do wrong. Afford me the 
light of thy countenance, and all shall be well. 
Then welcome crosses, disappointments, and trials. 
I can bear all things when thou art with me. If 
thou art my light, no darkness can surround me. 
If thou art my strength, no trouble can depress me. 
If thou art my salvation, no enemy can conquer me." 
Even in the concerns of a family, or the cares of 
business, he still walks with him, constantly implor- 
ing that wisdom which is profitable to direct ; that 
meekness which shall bear opposition without being 
ruffled ; that fortitude that shall meet difficulties 
without being dismayed; and in everything that 
spirit which is suitable to the Christian character, 
and which shall favor his fellowship with God. 

Another thing that enters into the happy expe- 
rience of a Christian is submission to the will of God. 
" I was dumb (said the psalmist), and opened not my 
mouth, because thou didst it." Aaron, under a se- 
vere trial, it is said, held his peace. Job stands upon 
the ruins of temporal prosperity, and exclaims, 
" The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away : 



138 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

blessed be the name of the Lord." The considera- 
tion of the sovereignty, the wisdom, the love, the 
covenant, the promises, and the conduct of his God, 
enables him to bear with patience, while the Holy 
Spirit powerfully strengthens and supports his mind, 
by bringing it to depend less on the creature, and 
more on the Creator. "I see God will have all my 
heart, and he shall have it," was a fine reflection 
made by a lady, when news was brought that two of 
her children were drowned. And how resigned was 
the mind of that Christian female who, being sick, 
was asked, whether she was willing to live or die, 
answered, " Which God pleases !" " But (said one) if 
God refer it to you, which would you choose?" 
" Truly (replied she), I would refer it to him again." 
What are trials to that man who knows and believes 
that all are under the direction of a wise hand? 
What are losses to him who places his happiness in 
the chief good ? What are bereavements to him who 
believes that God can be better to him than millions 
of creatures? What is opposition to him who 
knows that he, to whom all power belongs, can, in 
a moment, frustrate the wisest schemes, break to 
pieces the most formidable weapons, or scatter a 
thousand foes, by a sudden turn of his providence ? 
O, what are all the afflictions of life, or even death 
itself, to him who neither covets the one, nor fears 
the other, but with a noble triumph can say, "For 
to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain !" 

Indeed, if it were only the benefit he has derived 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 139 

from past afflictions, I say if it were only this, lie 
finds an argument even here for submission to the 
divine will. What is the language of experienced 
Christians? "How good is it (says one) for me to 
be afflicted'; for before I was afflicted, I went astray, 
but now have I kept thy word." " I was at ease 
(says another) ; I doted on my children, they became 
my idols ; but I saw them unexpectedly snatched 
away, and now have I learned how necessary it is 
that Grod only should be my portion." u The wheel 
of business (says a third) ran round so rapidly, that 
nothing else engaged my attention ; but suddenly it 
stopped ; mortified and dispirited, I retired ; I flew 
to the Bible, and there I read, l Set your affections 
on things above, and not on things on the earth.' 
At once the passage was explained, and my own 
conduct became the best expositor." " Fain (says 
a fourth) would I have gone through yonder flowery 
fields, where the refreshing stream delightfully glides 
along, and where the prospects seem so charm- 
ing and pleasant. But no (says Providence), you 
must tread a different path ; a path where, to all ap- 
pearance, nothing but barrenness, briers, and thorns 
could be seen. Here (says the Christian), as I ad- 
vanced, behold the crooked was made straight, the 
rough places plain, and the wilderness became a 
fruitful land ; while looking with more discernment 
on yonder field of pleasure, there I saw that, though, 
thousands entered with such willing feet and happy 
countenances, yet behold, the end was indolence and 



140 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

wretchedness, poverty and death. Thus (says the 
Christian) would I no more desire my own will, but 
be resigned to him who knows what is best for his 
creatures ; and who, though he leads them not in a 
path of their own choosing, yet conducts thefn in a 
right way. 

"My times of sorrow and of joy, 
G-reat God, are in thy hand ; 
My choicest comforts came from thee, 
And go at thy command. 

" If thon shouldst take them all away, 
Yet wonld I not repine ; 

Before they were possessed by me, 

They were entirely thine. 

"Nor wonld I drop a murm'ring word, 
Tho' the whole world were gone ; 

But seek enduring happiness 
In Thee, and Thee alone 1" 

Another thing which characterizes the prosperous 
Christian is ardent zeal. Grace is operative, and in 
proportion as we are influenced by it we shall be 
active. A cold, frozen-hearted Christian is a contra- 
diction of terms. To be a Christian is to be like 
Christ, who was full of holy zeal and heavenly 
ardor. A gracious mind perceives the importance 
of truth, values immortal souls, and is concerned 
for their welfare, and the promotion of the divine 
glory in the world. What is it but his zeal that 
causes him to lament with David, and say, "Kivers 
of water run down mine eves, because men keep 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 141 

not thy law?" Ps. cxix. 136. What but his zeal 
that makes him even ashamed of himself, that so 
many years have been passed, and so little, com- 
paratively, done for God? What but zeal that 
makes him sorrowful at the thought of so many 
being at ease in Zion, who have a name to live, and 
yet are dead? What but zeal that makes him 
lament when deprived of divine ordinances, and to 
say with David, " Surely I will not come into the 
tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed ; I 
will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to my 
eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an 
habitation for the mighty God ?" Ps. cxxxii. 3, etc. 
What but zeal that bears him up with fortitude 
against opposition, and stimulates him, in the midst 
of all, to devise and execute benevolent plans for 
the happiness of miserable sinners ? " What shall I 
do (says the Christian), that shall best subserve the 
interests of my fellow mortals ? I feel the obliga- 
tions I am under to the God of my salvation. How 
much has he done for me ! and now what shall I do 
for him ? O, how shall I set forth his glory, and 
speak of his goodness to the children of men! 
Father of Spirits, thou from whom all life, light, 
and energy proceed, enable me to be an active 
instrument in the promotion of thy glory. How 
short is life, how precious are souls, how awful is 
eternity ! Alas ! how many are perishing for lack 
of knowledge, even in the circle in which I move ! 
that my temper, my conversation, my influence, 



142 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

my conduct, may be so under thy blessing as to 
become the means of doing good! Shall the mer- 
chant compass sea and land for wealth ? Shall the 
astronomer gaze with rapturous ardor on a newly- 
discovered planet? Shall the philosopher spend 
days and nights in the pursuit of a favorite theme ? 
Shall the tradesman labor and toil, and expose him- 
self to continual inconveniences for the things that 
are passing away? And, what! shall I sit still, and 
dream my life away? Shall all creation be in 
motion ? shall the world exhibit nothing but bustle 
and activity ? and shall I indulge myself in indo- 
lent repose? I, who have eternity in view, who 
have turned my back on the world, who believe 
the awful realities of heaven and hell ? let my 
whole time be employed in some useful service, that 
I may be always abounding in the work of the 
Lord, knowing that my labor can not be in vain in 
the Lord !" Thus the Christian, like Caleb, is of a 
different spirit from the world, and follows the Lord 
fully ; like Phineas, is zealous for the Lord of Hosts, 
and with Paul can say, that "it is good to be zeal- 
ously affected always in a good thing." Numb, 
xiv. 24, Gal. iv. 18. 

Grateful recollection forms another part of the 
Christian's happy experience. He considers, with 
thankfulness and pleasure, the mercies he has 
received, the dangers from which he has been saved, 
the troubles out of which he has been delivered, and 
the various crosses that have been turned into com- 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 143 

forts; yea, he looks back, even to the house of 
mourning, and remembers well how the chamber of 
sickness became the place of instruction, the time 
of bereavement a season of usefulness, and difficul- 
ties in circumstances the means of dependence. 
From opposition he has gained courage ; from diffi- 
culty he has derived faith ; from the vanity of the 
creature he has been led to see the fulness of the 
Creator. From a sense of weakness he has increased 
in strength ; and from the valley of trouble he has 
gathered the sweet fruit of humility, patience, and 
submission to the divine will. Think too, reader, 
how happy the Christian must be, when not a day 
passes but his mind is led to reflect on the goodness 
of his God. Every morning and night brings fresh 
matter to feed his gratitude. Hear his language ! 
"Have I had a good night; and have I not an 
errand to the throne of grace to return thanks for 
it ? How many mercies have concurred to make it 
a good night ! Distinguished mercies ; mercies, 
perhaps, granted to me, but not to others! Many 
have not where to lay their heads ; my Master him- 
self had not; but I have a house to dwell in, a quiet 
and peaceable habitation. I have a bed to lay on, 
and have not to wander in deserts and mountains, 
in dens and caves of the earth, as some of the best 
of God's saints have been forced to do, of whom the 
world was not worthy. Many have beds to lie on, 
yet dare not or can not lie down in them, being kept 
up either by the sickness of their friends, or the fear 



144 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

of their enemies. But I have laid me down, and 
there have been none to make me afraid ; no alarms 
of the sword, either of war or persecution. Many 
lay them down, and can not sleep, but are full of 
tossings to and fro, until the dawning of the day, 
through pain of body or anguish of mind. Weari- 
some nights are appointed to them, and their eyes 
are held waking; but I have laid down, and slept 
without any disturbance, and my sleep was sweet 
and refreshing, the pleasant parenthesis of my care 
and toils. Many .lay them down and sleep and 
never rise again ; they sleep the sleep of death, and 
their beds are their graves; but I have slept and 
awaked again, have rested, and am refreshed, because 
the Lord hath sustained me." 

"Have I," says the Christian, "a pleasant morn- 
ing? Is the light sweet? The light of the sun, the 
light of the eyes; do these rejoice the heart? And 
ought I not to own my obligations to Him who 
opens my eyes, and opens the eyelids of the morn- 
ing -upon me ? Have I clothes to put on ? change 
of raiment, not for necessity only, but also for orna- 
ment? I have them from God: it is his wool and 
flax that are given to cover me; and shall I not 
praise him for it? Am I in health and ease? Have 
Lbeen long so? 0, how thankful ought I to be." 
{See Henry on Communion with God.) 

"When the evening approaches, he looks back 
through the day, and calls to mind the manifold 
instances of divine kindness. How many evils have 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 145 

befallen the sons of men this day ! Some have been 
laboring under racking pains of body, others left to 
all the rage of despair. Some unexpectedly be- 
reaved of their choicest comforts, others exposed to 
accidents of the most alarming kind. Many, per- 
haps, have lost all they had by some unforeseen 
event; and multitudes have been tossed about on 
the troubled waves of human adversity. Some, 
perhaps, have had their reputation blasted by a 
malignant foe ; others been unjustly deprived of the 
inheritance they had long expected. How many 
who have been stripped of their friends by removals 
or by deaths ! and how many who are suffering from 
their friends becoming enemies, and those who were 
near to them, by ties of nature, no longer allied to 
them by the bonds of affection ! Ah ! my God, how 
many may be the evils of one day ; but here I am 
signalized by thy favor, and though not without my 
trials, yet how thankful should I feel for an exemp- 
tion from these troubles ! The pleasures of health, 
of friendship, of liberty, of peace, of character, of 
property, have been continued, and much more, of 
communion with thee. " What shall I render unto 
the Lord for all the benefits he hath bestowed upon 
me? Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is 
within me, bless his holy name : for he hath crowned 
mv life with loving kindness and tender mercies. 
Bless the Lord, O mv soul !" 

Again ; a constant and ardent breathing after 
holiness distinguishes the prosperous Christian. No 
7 



146 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

attainments he has made, no good works he has 
performed, ever satisfy him. He never arrives at a 
point where he can sit down and say, I have enough, 
I want no more, I am at rest. I feel complacency 
in what I have done. I can go no farther. I can 
make no higher progress in knowledge or holiness. 
On the contrary, the nearer he approaches to God, 
the more he sees of his own imperfection, the more 
he discerns of the beauties of holiness, and the more 
he desires to conform to him. "0 that my 
thoughts," says the Christian, " may always be 
directed in a right channel, my affections wholly 
placed on the chief good, my powers all employed 
in his service, and for the promotion of his glory ! 
Thou, God, art the best of beings; infinitely 
lovely in thyself; the fountain of all excellency. I 
want to be more like thee ; my temper, my conver- 
sation, my conduct, my exertions, my all to reflect 
the splendor of thy grace. How hateful is sin to 
me ! how it defiles the soul, darkens the mind, and 
exposes to the most extreme wretchedness ! . O 
purify my heart, subdue all the corruptions of my 
nature, keep under thy subjection all the passions 
of my soul ! Whatever befalls me, let me not sin 
against thee ; but give me grace that I may perse- 
vere, perfecting holiness in thy sight. Order my 
steps in thy word, and let not any iniquity have 
dominion over me. Search me, God, and know 
my heart ; try me, and know my thoughts ; and see 
if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 147 

the way everlasting. Cleanse thou me from secret 
faults. Keep back thy servant, also, from presump- 
tuoussins; let them not have dominion over me. 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of 
my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my 
Strength and Eedeemer!" Ps. cxix. 133, Ps. 
cxxxix. 2 last, Ps. xix. 11, 12, 14. 

Thus the Christian wishes to run the race that is 
set before him, and to lay aside every weight. He 
knows God is the chief good, the author of all holi- 
ness and happiness ; and though he is certain he is 
not to be justified or accepted on account of his 
desires, his merit, his works, but solely by the grace 
of Christ, yet his soul burns w r ith holy ardor to be 
conformed to him, to see more of his glories, to taste 
more of his love, to enjoy more of his presence, and 
live more to his praise. " Doubtless," saith the 
apostle, "I count all things but loss for the excel- 
lency of the knowledge of Christ — and that I may 
be found in him — that I may know him, and the 
power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his 
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. 
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrec- 
tion of the dead: not as though I had already 
attained, either were already perfect, but I follow 
after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I 
am apprehended of Christ Jesus. I count not my- 
self to have apprehended ; but this one thing I do, 
forgetting those things which are behind, and reach- 
ing forth unto those things which are before, I 



148 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

press towards the mark, for the prize of the high 
calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. iii. 8, &c. 

Lastly ; anticipation of a future state of blessed- 
ness enters much into the experience of the prosper- 
ous Christian. How pleasant to him to reflect that 
he shall soon have done with all the troubles and 
discouragements of the way! Here, it is true, the 
animal frame is subject to pain; trials disturb, ene- 
mies oppose, darkness surrounds, and difficulties 
perplex ; but there the weary shall be for ever at 
rest. It is this that often supports him under the 
inconveniences of the way, and the troubles to 
which he is here exposed. " Soon/' says he, " shall 
I have done with all these ; and I reckon that the 
sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be 
compared with the glory that shall be revealed. 
Rom. viii. 17. What is the cross, compared to the 
crown ; the darkness here, to the everlasting light 
hereafter ; the contempt and indignity of men, to the 
favor of God ; the sorrows of this life, to the joys of 
heaven ; the evils of time, to the glories of eternity ? 
And I am passing on ; every moment brings me 
nearer. Heaven, glory, God, immortality, are open- 
ing to my view. O, how transporting to think that 
I shall be for ever with the Lord ; ever to admire his 
perfections; ever to adore his designs; ever to con- 
template the wisdom of his providence, and the 
works of his hands ; ever to celebrate his goodness ; 
ever, with the celestial multitude, to surround his 
throne, and ascribe everlasting honors to his name ! 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 149 

Tliere sweet harmony, glorious liberty, pure affec- 
tion, happy union, pleasing recollection, divine 
intercourse, and sublime pleasure, shall eternally 
subsist. happy period, when the shackles of mor- 
tality shall be broken, when the earthly house of 
this tabernacle shall be dissolved, and my soul 
transported to these blissful realms ! Adorable 
Eedeemer ! when shall I awake up after thy like- 
ness ? when wilt thou speak the word, and say, Soul 
come up hither? Patiently would I wait all the 
days of my appointed time, till my change come ; 
but, the day, the happy day, when the last enemy 
shall receive the commission to do his work, and I 
shall be freed from the scenes of mortality to dwell 
with thee! Let me cherish the thought. Let the 
world and all its cares sink in my estimation, and 
let eternity, joyful eternity, be before my view ; for 
I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded 
that he will keep that which I have committed to 
him." Thus the Christian meditates ; and with 
what propriety he may indulge himself in the pleas- 
ing employ, we may easily conclude, when we con- 
sider the beautiful descriptions and happy promises 
given in the sacred records, of his final happiness. 
" Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth 
not yet appear what we shall be : but we know that 
when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we 
shall see him as he is." The apostle says, that " We, 
who have believed, do enter into rest." If, after all, 
then, our present view is only but as an entrance, 



150 HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 

what will the full possession be ! To stand at the 
door, or to have an entrance only to a superb and 
beautiful mansion, fills the mind with wonder, but 
to enter in, fully to survey every object, to inspect 
every beauty, and see the excellences of the whole, 
how great the privilege! Thus, here we have an 
entrance; and if even this fills with admiration, what 
will it be to take complete possession, and behold 
the infinite glories of that house, not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens ! This unspeakable 
blessing Ave may anticipate. " Father, I will," says 
the Saviour, "that they whom thou hast given me 
be with me where I am, that they may behold my 
glory. They shall come from the east and the west, 
and sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, 
in the kingdom of God. They shall see his face, 
and reign for ever and ever." 1 John hi. 1, 2 } John 
xvii. 24} Eev. xxii. 5, 6. 

To conclude : learn what an invaluable blessing 
soul prosperity is. What is every other kind of 
prosperity when compared with this ? "What are 
riches, health, fame, friends, power, grandeur, victo- 
ries, or even human learning and splendid talents ? 
These may elate, but not sanctify. They give influ- 
ence over others, but how little over their pos- 
sessors ! They rate high in the estimation of men, 
but how insignificant in the sight of God ! They 
are as blazing meteors for the moment, but how soon 
extinct ! while the prosperous Christian is a sun that 
shines for ever. Ah ! his soul outweighs them all. 



HAPPY EXPERIENCE. 151 

Behold him, and you see more of God, of heaven, of 
true glory, and of solid happiness, than in all the 
universe besides. Learn, then, reader, to seek this. 
You may be a Christian, it is true, but not a pros- 
perous one. But be not content with just being 
alive ; with having a small share of health ; with 
just being able to make out that the vital spark ex- 
ists, though it be low. Act with your soul as you 
would with your body, that it may be strong, vigor- 
ous, and healthy. Live upon the wholesome food 
the Gospel affords ; use the spiritual exercise it pre- 
scribes, avoid the contagious air it prohibits, and 
watch against those evils it points out, and which 
naturally tend to prevent growth and strength, en- 
ergy and action, in the best of services. 

Let not, however, the weak and young be dis- 
couraged. In reading this chapter, some may be 
ready to say, " Ah ! I am fearful I am deceiving my- 
self. How little do I feel and know of what is here 
described ! My heart is so cold, my knowledge so 
scanty, my faith so weak, my joys so few, that I am 
ready to conclude I am yet a stranger to divine 
grace." But fear not; there may be life where 
there is not strength. A child may breathe, may 
feel ; but can not speak, can not walk, can not judge. 
Thus you may be a subject of grace, though at pre- 
sent you possess not that extent of knowledge, that 
strength of faith, that joy of hope, as many. If God 
be the object of your affection, if sin be the cause of 
your grief, if it be sin that makes you so wretched and 



152 • HAPPY EXPEPvIENCE. 

miserable from day to day, if it be deliverance from 
this for which, you are perpetually groaning, if it be 
this, against which you are struggling, that causes 
the painful conflict, that fills your mind with such 
distress, then there is hope. Yes, reader, these de- 
sires are not implanted in your heart by nature, but 
by grace. And God works not upon the mind of 
them who are seeking him, to tantalize and disap- 
point them. You often think, perhaps, that you are 
a hypocrite ; but the hypocrite knows nothing of 
holy sorrow. He is a stranger to spiritual distress. 
He discovers no anxious fears about his state. He 
never weeps for his sins ; but your, rest is disturbed 
by night, your peace by day : you are ready to droop 
and die ; your heart is almost broken with grief, on 
account of transgression; and shall you be lost? 
No ! He says of the vine that has but a single clus- 
ter, " Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it." Go on, 
therefore. It may be a day of small things with you. 
You shall increase. The oak was once an acorn ; 
the gigantic stature was once an infant : and things 
great and permanent often rise from small begin- 
nings. Despond not, therefore : the God of all 
mercy and grace will not break the bruised reed, 
nor quench the smoking flax. 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 153 



CHAPTEK VII. 

REMEMBRANCE OP PAST EXPERIENCE. 

It was an injunction which the apostle Paul gave 
to the Hebrews, to call to remembrance former days. 
Heb. x. 34. The Christian is not only called to look 
forward, and anticipate what is to come, but lie is to 
take a retrospective view of what is past. There is, in- 
deed, a looking back which, is blamdble; such, was the 
case of Lot's wife : but there is a looking back which 
is commendable, and this belongs to every Christian. 
" Thou shalt remember," said Jehovah, to the Israel- 
ites, " all the way which, the Lord thy God led thee 
these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, 
and to prove thee ; to know what was in thine heart, 
whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or 
no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to 
hunger, and fed thee with manna (which thou knew- 
est not, neither did thy fathers know), that he might 
make thee know that man doth not _ live by bread 
only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the 
mouth of the Lord doth man live." Deut. viii. 2. 

Past experience, therefore, must be reflected on, and 

7^< 



154 KEMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

the advantages of it will be every way great. Some- 
times it will afford instruction, at other times humi- 
liation, and frequently consolation. " I will remem- 
ber," said the psalmist, " the years of the right hand 
of the Most High. I will remember the works of 
the Lord ; surely I will remember thy wonders of 
old. O my Grod, my soul is cast down within me ; 
therefore I will remember thee from the land of Jor- 
dan, and of the Hermonites from the hill Mizar." 
Psa. xlii. 7, Psa. lxxvii. 10, 11. 

But, to proceed, let us inquire what it is that the 
Christian has to call to mind. And, first, we may 
observe, that he calls to remembrance his former 
ignorance, and the means by which he was brought 
" out of darkness into (rod's marvellous light." 
" Hearken unto me," saith the Lord, "ye that fol- 
low after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord, look 
unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole 
of the pit whence ye are digged." Isa. li. 1. It is 
good to recollect what we once were. " And you 
(saith the apostle to the Ephesians) hath he quick- 
ened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Where- 
in, in time past, ye walked according to the course 
of this world ; according to the prince of the power 
of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children 
of disobedience. Among whom, also, we all had our 
conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, 
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and 
were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." 
Eph. ii. 1, 2. " We ourselves, also (saith the apostle 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 155 

again to Titus), were sometimes foolish, disobedient, 
deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living 
in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." 
Tit. iii. 4. Well the Christian remembers the igno- 
rance of his mind, the enmity of his heart, the strength 
of his prejudices, and the violence of his opposition 
against everything serious and good. Eeligion had 
no charms for him ; the sanctuary of the Lord was 
forsaken, the Bible neglected, the Sabbath profaned, 
and the ministers and people of God despised. He 
saw no beauty in holiness, he felt no attachment to 
truth, he discovered no excellences in the Eedeemer, 
and, in a word, possessed not the least concern about 
his immortal soul. He broke through every restraint, 
and pushed forward through every difficulty, to 
gratify his corrupt passions. Deaf to the calls of 
Providence, the expostulations of the righteous, 
the voice of conscience, and the solemn commands 
of God's sacred. Word, he ran with willing feet the 
road that leads to misery and woe. To this dark 
and awful period of his life the Christian looks back 
with trembling. He beholds with horror the dread- 
ful precipice on which he stood. He meditates with 
concern the imminent danger to which he was ex- 
posed. He laments before God that so much of his 
time should have been lost, his powers misemployed, 
and his soul dead to God and the enjoyment of his 
favor. But, above all, he wonders at the patience 
and forbearance of God. " Why," saith he, " was I 
permitted to live ? why not made a monument of 



156 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

vindictive justice, and suffered to sink into eternal 
despair ? Why didst thou not cut me off as a cum- 
berer of the ground, drive me out of light into dark- 
ness, and chase me out of the world ? Or why might 
I not have been left in a state of sin and wrath, to 
have filled up the measure of mine iniquity, to have 
continued, like others, in rebellion against thee? 

"Why was I made to hear thy voice, 
And enter while there's room, 
"While thousands make a wretched choice, 
And rather starve than come ?" 

When he considers the evil from which he has 
been delivered, the happy state to which he is 
brought, the danger in which he was involved, and 
the consequent blessings that arise from the change, 
he can not forget even the instruments that were em- 
ployed. Ah ! how he loves the very spot where he 
first heard the glad tidings of salvation ! How he 
venerates the character whom God honored as the 
mean of his conversion! Well, perhaps, he recol- 
lects the words that darted into his soul, and, like 
a sharp two-edged sword, pierced even to the divid- 
ing asunder, as the apostle says, of soul and spirit, 
and of the joints and marrow, and was a discerner of 
the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. iv. 12. 
Or, probably, it was some conversation with a friend, 
some singular providence, some unexpected event, 
that was commissioned and sanctified for the happy 
purpose. A death in the family, a change in connec- 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 157 

tions, a heavy loss, a removal from one situation to 
another, was, perhaps, the means of his first coming 
to think seriously about his state. He can never 
forget the place where, the circumstance how, the 
time when, or the instrument by whom, he was 
brought to see himself as a miserable sinner, and that 
Christ alone could be his Saviour. He blesses his 
God a thousand times that he was plucked as a brand 
from the burning; he admires the wonders of his 
providence as to the way in which he was led to at- 
tend to divine things ; and rejoices, abundantly re- 
joices, in the remembrance of that all-powerful grace 
that opened his eyes, broke the fetters by which he 
was bound, and brought him into the glorious liberty 
of the sons of God. 

But it may be said, Every Christian can not thus 
remember all these circumstances. It is granted 
that some may be sanctified from the womb; and 
that in others the work has been so gradual, that 
they can not recollect any particular sermon, provi- 
dence, place, or event, where and when the change 
was first wrought. This, I say, may be granted ; 
but, after all, even in these cases, though the means 
be not recollected, yet the cause is admired ; and if 
the Christian can not tell when it was he first saw, 
yet he blesses God that he does now see. There 
are very few instances, however, but in which Christ- 
ians can remember the time when they were not as 
they now are ; and though particular circumstances 
can not be pointed out, yet they can say, to the 



158 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

praise of divine grace, that they are made new 
creatures in Christ Jesus; that old things are past 
away, and all things are become new. 2 Cor. v. 17. 
Conversions of which little or nothing can be 
remembered by the subjects, are, in my opinion, 
rare, and often liable to suspicion. "We must not, 
however, limit the Holy One of Israel ; he can 
work upon the minds of his creatures in different 
ways ; and while some are instantaneously changed, 
in others the work seems to be gradual, if not as to 
the communication of the first principle of grace, 
at least as to the evidence of it. It must be observed, 
however, that wherever this principle is given, it 
will more or less produce light : light will produce 
discovery ; and a discovery of ourselves, the evil of 
sin, and the holiness of God, will in general humble 
the soul ; and, owing to the remains of corruption, 
painful conflicts will ensue. This, therefore, is 
another thing which many Christians have to call 
to remembrance. Indeed, the sufferings of some 
have been very great before they were brought to a 
clear and comfortable review of the provision made 
for them in the Gospel of the Son of God. Many a 
Christian can say, I remember the wormwood and 
the gall. How did my sins all appear in array before 
me ! I thought I should have sunk under the bur- 
den. Not fit to live, and afraid to die, how intoler- 
able was existence itself to me ! Innumerable evils 
compassed me about ; mine iniquities took hold of 
me, so that I was not able to look up : they appeared 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 159 

more in number than the hairs of my head ; my 
heart failed within me. I said, What shall I do to 
be saved? Where shall I go? To what object shall 
I look? Will the God whom I have so greatly 
offended ever look upon me? Have I not done 
that which can never be forgiven ? And is not the 
mercy of the Lord clean gone for ever ? Thus the 
Christian has been involved in the deepest distress, 
until directed to Calvary, there to behold the Lamb 
of God, who taketh away the sins of the world. 
By being enabled to view Jesus as an all-sufficient 
Saviour, at last the burden was removed ; and with 
pleasure he recollects the happy moment when light 
sprung in upon his soul, when his fears were dissi- 
pated, and, through divine goodness, he could say, 
with a holy confidence, "My Lord, and my God I" 

Being thus set at liberty, the Christian calls to 
mind his consequent joy, his fervent gratitude, his 
ardent zeal. How lively was he then in prayer! 
how did he pour out his soul to God ! He found it 
then not as a hard duty to be discharged, but as an 
inestimable privilege to be enjoyed. With inex- 
pressible pleasure he retired from the world to hold 
intercourse with God. Here he found his heaven, 
and his God: his spiritual strength was renewed, 
and his soul animated to go forward in the path of 
duty and of diligence. What spirituality, too, was 
there in his conversation ! Like the woman of 
Samaria, he was ready to say, Come, see a man that 
hath told me all thinsrs that ever I did. Is not this 



160 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

the Christ? Jo. iv. 29. How ready was he to 

M 

reprove sin, to defend truth, to exalt the Saviour, 

and stir up his brethren ! What happy hours were 

spent in profitable conversation about the things of 

God ; how did the time pass away ; how did his 

heart burn within him ; how his face shone, and all 

took knowledge of him that he had been with Jesus ! 

With what alacrity he attended public ordinances ! 

With the psalmist he could say, "I was glad when 

they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the 

Lord." - Psa> cxxii. 1. With what delight has he 

sung, 

" How pleas'd and blest was I 
To hear the people cry, 
Come let us seek our God to-day ; 
Yes, with a cheerful zeal, 
I'll haste to Zion's hill, 
And there my vows and honors pay." 

No little inconveniences then deterred him, no 
frivolous excuses were made to absent himself. 
Well he recollects how he has labored to order and 
direct everything in subserviency to this, and so to 
plan and execute his . concerns, that he might be 
early and punctual in his attendance at the house of 
God. How eagerly he searched the sacred Scrip- 
tures ; how regularly he read them ; how much he 
remembered ; and how willingly he hid them in his 
heart, that he might not sin against God. Could he 
not say with David, "0 how love I thy law! it is 
my meditation all the day. Thy testimonies are 
wonderful: I rejoice in them, as one that findeth 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 161 

great spoil." Psa. cxix. How anxious was lie then 
also to do good ! What opportunities did he embrace 
for this purpose ! How many pious and affectionate 
letters did he send to his friends and acquaintance, 
to tell them what he experienced, and to recommend 
Jesus as the altogether lovely, and the Saviour of 
sinners ! Then it was he thought that he could suf- 
fer, that he could resign, that he could bear any- 
thing,, so that he might but bring sinners to him. 
How often has he said, " that I could but convert 
my relations ! How happy should I be, could they 
but see as I do ! What would I not do that my 
neighbors might know him whom my soul loveth ? 
yea, how I long that the whole world, which lieth 
in wickedness, may repent and be saved! Thus 
in this, and many other instances, the Christian 
discovered his first love and his ardent zeal for the 
promotion of the divine glory. But while many 
Christians can call to mind these delightful feelings, 
yet how humbling is it for them to reflect that they 
do not possess that holy fervor, that sacred zeal, now! 
How do their minds reproach them! They open 
the sacred volume, but how cutting is it to read, 
" Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus 
saith the Lord, I remember thee, the kindness of thy 
youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou went- 
est after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not 
sown. Ah ! my people have committed two evils : 
they have forsaken me, the fountain of living 
waters, and hewn them out cisterns, broken cisterns, 



162 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

that can hold no water." Jer. ii. 2, 14. How have 
they to lament over the coldness of their affections, 
the unfruitfulness of their lives, and the sad luke- 
warmness into which they are sunk! Once they 
could say, "Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever 
thou goest." No sacrifice was considered too great, 
no difficulty too formidable, no comfort considered 
so dear but what could be relinquished, so that the 
honor of God might be but promoted, and the 
interests of the soul furthered. But how is the gold 
become dim, and the most fine gold changed ! It is 
with shame and confusion of face the Christian here 
looks back, while he thus bemoans himself. " Did 
I not cheerfully and willingly give myself up to the 
Lord ? Did I not say, Here ami; do with me as it 
seemeth thee good ? When I heard his voice say- 
ing, Come out from the world, and be separate, did 
I not say, Amen, Lord ; so give me grace to obey 
thy will? When sufferings presented themselves, 
did I not say, Why art thou cast down, O my soul ; 
God is able to support ; yea, he will support ? When 
opportunities of usefulness appeared, did I not say, 
Let me work while it is day? and was I not all 
activity in the best of services? But now — ah! 
it is too painful to think of, and the only encourage- 
ment is, that He who says, 1 1 have somewhat against 
thee, because thou hast left thy first love,' still 
invites to return, and says, f Eemember from whence 
thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.' 
Kev. ii. 4, 5. 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 163 

Yes, reader, this sad reverse, this transition from 
zeal to a state of lukewarmness, is not contemplated 
or recollected by the Christian without the deepest 
distress. For the punishment of his conduct, his 
Lord has, perhaps, withdrawn the smiles of his face : 
and now he languishes and mourns, and is ready to 
despond. u O that I were as in months past, when 
his candle shined upon my head, and when by his 
light I walked through darkness ! that I knew 
where I might find him, that I might come even to 
his seat, I would order my cause before him, and fill 
my mouth with arguments!" Job xxiii. 3, 4, Job 
xxix. 2, 3. " Once I walked in the light of his coun- 
tenance, and found him to be a God near at hand. I 
took refuge under the covert of his wings, and re- 
joiced in him as my God. I remember how he sup- 
ported my soul, directed me in difficulties, supplied 
my wants, and made his strength perfect in my 
weakness. O, what delightful views of the glorious 
perfections of my God did I once enjoy ! what 
transporting views of the excellences and glories of 
the Saviour ! How did the Holy Spirit bear witness 
with my spirit that I was born of God ! But now, 
how dark, how wretched, how benighted my soul ! 
Now my sins appear in the blackest light, and over- 
whelm my spirit. Time was when I could submit 
with patience to every trial ; when I could welcome 
shame, and hail reproach ; when, though troubles 
assailed me, yet I was confident in the Lord, and 
trusted in the God of my salvation : but now, how 



164 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

small a thing depresses my spirits ! how weak in 
faith, how little dependence placed on the Lord, and 
how backward to give up my all to him ! that 
the Lord would arise, and scatter this darkness ; in- 
crease my faith, and bless me with the same happy 
enjoyments, and the same nearness to himself ! How 
sincerely with the poet can I join and say, 

" for a closer walk with God, 
A calm and heavenly frame ; 
A light to shine upon the road 
That leads me to the Lamb ! 

" Where is the blessedness I knew, 
When first I saw the Lord ? 
Where is the soul-refreshing view 
Of Jesus and his word ? 

" What peaceful hours I then enjoyed !- 
How sweet their memory still I 
But now I find an aching void 
The world can never fill. 

" Return, holy Dove, return, 
Sweet messenger of rest ; 
I hate the sins that made thee mourn, 
And drove thee from my breast." 

Thus to many Christians the remembrance of past 
experience, though profitable, is painful : and the rec- 
ollection of their former zeal and activity for God 
shames them under a view of their present lukewarm 
and uncomfortable state. 

There are other parts, however, of his experience 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 165 

that lie remembers with peculiar pleasure ; and that 
is, what he has experienced of the kindness of God 
in his providence. He had marked out a path for 
himself, in which he thought he could have travelled 
with ease and advantage. This, however, he found 
was blocked up, and another, apparently more cir- 
cuitous, more difficult, more dreary, appeared. Here 
he entered, perhaps with trembling steps ; he could 
discern but little before him, and was almost ready 
to murmur at the darkness that surrounded him. 
But, renouncing at last his own will, and. following 
the leadings of Providence, although in a variable 
path, he finds, to his own satisfaction, the propriety 
of listening to the advice of the wise man : " Trust 
in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to 
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknow- 
ledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.' 7 Prov. 
iii. 5, 6. Now he sees what a curse it would have 
been to him if he had followed his own schemes, 
and what a mercy it is that he has been disappointed 
in one thing, crossed in another, and diverted from a 
third. Now he can set to his seal that his word is 
true ; u that no chastening for the present seemeth 
to be joyous, but grievous ; nevertheless, afterward, 
it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto 
them which are exercised thereby.' ■ 

With what pleasure can he contemplate that 
Divine Wisdom and Power which have overruled 
all the trials and events of his life for good ! that 
from the bitter cup Grod has made him drink the 



166 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

sweetest draughts ; and that from the pricking thorn 
he has gathered the most fragrant flowers : yea, that 
the very rod that smote him yielded the very balm 
that healed him! Now he can say, "All things 
work together for good to them who love God, and 
are called according to his purpose." Many a time 
has he pronounced this sentence with his lips, or 
read it, perhaps, in his Bible ; but now he has ex- 
perienced its truth, and rejoices in its accomplish- 
ment. Things which once appeared to him so dis- 
cordant, events which happened so unexpectedly, 
circumstances which have transpired apparently so 
opposite to his interest, now he finds have been all 
subservient to his advantage. Yea, he is so satisfied 
with the divine proceedings toward him, that, were 
he to live his time over again, he would not have 
anything altered as it relates to the divine conduct, 
for he is fully persuaded that all has been the result 
of Infinite Wisdom and Love. 

Indeed, he is not only pleased, but he is astonished 
at that goodness and mercy which have always 
followed him. The goodness of God, that has 
always supplied him, and the mercy of God, that 
has always pardoned "and prevented him, excite his 
wonder and gratitude. On his own part he can see 
nothing but un worthiness in his past life ; but on 
the part of the Almighty he beholds one continual 
display of wisdom, power, favor, and faithfulness. 
Well he remembers the kind interpositions of Pro- 
vidence in his behalf in the day of trouble. In an 



KEMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPEDIENCE. 167 

unexpected way, by an unexpected instrument, he 
lias been delivered. In the paroxysm of his distress 
he sat down and wept, and with Job was ready to 
say, " Mine eye shall no more see good." Acute 
pain, perhaps, that threatened his dissolution; dire- 
ful disease, about to sweep away his family ; false 
friends designing his ruin, or dreadful calamity 
hastening to reduce to extreme poverty ; these, most 
likely, have, at one time or other, surrounded him ; 
when, lo ! in the midst of expected distress, the kind 
hand of Providence has appeared, and given such a 
favorable turn to events, as to cause him again to 
sing for joy. The shadow of death has been turned 
into the morning, and he who was on the verge of 
ruin could say, "I sought the Lord and he heard 
me, and delivered me from all my fears. I said I 
was cast out of thy sight. The waters compassed 
me about; all thy waves and thy billows passed 
over me : but I remembered the Lord, and my 
prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. I 
will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and 
will call upon the name of the Lord." Jonah ii. 

Thus the Christian, though he can find no re- 
sources of satisfaction from himself or his own con- 
duct, finds perpetual pleasure in reflecting on the 
ways of God. The recollection of constant supplies, 
the merciful preventions, the wise directions, and 
manifold preservations he has experienced, is a 
source of support even in his darkest hours. 

But this will lead us to consider the advantages of 



168 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

remembering past experience ; and these are great, 
a few of which we shall only enumerate. And first, 
it teaches self-reproof to those who have left their 
first love. Of Jehosaphat it is said, that he walked 
in the first ways of his father, David. * David's first 
ways are here represented as his best. And of how 
many may this be said! ' Recollect, lukewarm 
Christians, the former days, when nothing kept you 
from the house of Grod \ when, perhaps, you were 
the first to propose anything that was good, and 
the last to decline when anything was .difficult. 
Ah! how did your soul then burn with a holy 
jealousy for the truth, and what were you not ready 
to sacrifice, so that you might promote it ! What 
constancy, what zeal, what courage did you mani- 
fest ! And, ah ! is it you, who now say with your 
conduct, like Peter, "I know not the man?" Is it 
you, of whom it is said in the world, none can equal 
him for his love of money, his desire of business, his 
ambition to be great ? Is it you, of whom it is 
whispered in the neighborhood, he is not so particu- 
lar, he is not so religious ; he is better company, he 
is more free and lively with us than he was ? Is it 
you, of whom it is said with sorrow in the church, 
he seldom is found in his place ; he is shy and indif- 
ferent to those he formerly delighted to associate 
with. He has lost his zeal. He possesses little or 
no spirituality. He is never seen in any scene of 
activity and usefulness. Ah ! miserable man ! look 
back, and ask what thou hast been doing. Blush 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 169 

for thy declension. Think of the happy moments 
formerly enjoyed, the sweet calm of thy mind, and 
the bright hope of thy soul. Where are these now ? 
Let conscience speak, and it will pronounce thee 
wretched. Go thou to thy duty. Eeturn to Him 
from whom thou hast revolted : still there is forgive- 
ness. Pray for a revival; and, wretched as thou 
art, there is a hand that will receive, mercy that will 
forgive, grace that will revive, and power that will 
protect thee. 

To the weak and discouraged Christian, the 
remembrance of past experience may afford consola- 
tion. When Manoah was favored with a divine 
manifestation, he misconstrued it, and said unto his 
wife, "We shall surely die, because we have seen 
God." But his wife said unto him, "If the Lord 
were pleased to kill us, he would not have received 
a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, 
neither would he have showed us all these things, 
nor would, as at this time, have told us such things 
as these." Judges xiii. 22, 23. In like manner 
may a Christian reason. What mean all my former 
experience, if I know not the Lord? . Should I 
ever have enjoyed communion with him, and been 
blessed with his presence, if he had meant to have 
destroyed me ? Should I ever have so ardently 
longed to be conformed to him, to bear his image, 
and be devoted to his glory, if I had not tasted that 
he was gracious ? If I am an hypocrite, what mean 
these fears, these anxieties, respecting my state? 
8 



170 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

Why so wretched when I fall into sin ? Why so 
happy when kept from it? Why. if I am to be a 
castaway, do I maintain the struggle ? Why did I 
formerly renounce the world, and how was I able to 
rise superior to it, if I never was a recipient of 
grace? If I be deceived, what mean the happy 
Sabbaths I have enjoyed, the delightful feelings I 
have possessed when at a throne of grace ? Surely, 
if my heart has never been changed, then from what 
have all my former views, experience, enjoyments, 
desires, conflicts, and feelings been derived? Can 
they be from any other source than grace ? And 
shall grace be given in vain? Will the Almighty, 
after showing me all these things, abandon me for 
ever? Can it be? Can reason prove it? Doth 
Scripture assert it? Surely nok Yes, Christian, 
you may safely reason thus. You may, with pro- 
priety, make use of your former experience in this 
way. God never gave you light only to make you 
more wretched: he has not convinced you of sin to 
terrify you with the thought of its never being par- 
doned ; he has not favored you with a view of his 
glory that you might know the loss of it. Surely, 
he has not taught you to struggle with sin, to 
breathe for holiness, to desire to be his, and then 
determined to cast you away from his presence for 
ever. No ; this be far from him. You may, there- 
fore, say with David, "Why art thou cast down, O 
my soul; and why art thou disquieted within me? 
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 171 

health of my countenance, and my God." Ps. 
xlii. 5. 

Further; the recollection of past experience ex- 
cites thankfulness. When the Israelites gained the 
victory over the Philistines, Samuel took a stone, 
and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the 
name of it Ebenezer, saying, " Hitherto hath the 
Lord helped us." 1 Sam. vii. 12. David looks 
back with thankfulness, and remembers the kind 
interpositions of Jehovah: " Unless the Lord," says 
he, "had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt 
in silence. When I said my foot slippeth, thy 
mercy, Lord, held me up. I was brought low, 
and he helped me." Ps. xciv. 17, 18. " Thou hast 
delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, 
and my feet from falling. What shall I render unto 
the Lord for all his benefits towards : me ? ; I will 
take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of 
the Lord." Ps. cxvi. 12, 13. Saint Paul contem- 
plates with pleasure the wonderful deliverances 
wrought on his behalf, when he says, "Having 
obtained help of God, I continue unto this day." 
Acts xxvi. 22. What reason have you, Christian 
reader, to use the same language! How has the 
Lord ' supported you from your youth, even until 
now ! How often has he supplied your wants, dis- 
sipated your fears, sanctified your trials, delivered 
you from danger, and directed your footsteps! 
Health, perhaps, has been continued in times of 
general sickness ; your character preserved, notwith- 



172 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

standing the attempts of malignant foes ; your con- 
science saved from guilt, when surrounded with 
fiery temptations. With what gratitude must you 
look back upon these mercies ; and with what won- 
der, too, at the kindness of God, who has caused 
everything to work together for good ! 

The recollection, too, of the many delightful op- 
portunities you have enjoyed, the many privileges 
you have been favored with, the helps you have re- 
ceived, and the mercies that have been bestowed, all 
call for grateful acknowledgments. Surely, on a re- 
view of your past experience, notwithstanding all the 
trials and discouragements of the way, you must bear 
testimony to the wisdom of his providence, the great- 
ness of his patience, the faithfulness of his word, and 
the wonders of his love. 

As the remembrance of past mercies should excite 
gratitude, so it should operate as a spur to duty. 
You have found, Christian, the yoke of Jesus to be 
easy, and his burden light. The mildness of his 
government, the nature of his service, the clemency 
of his heart, the supplies of his grace, are all power- 
ful arguments to stimulate to diligence. Eecollect 
how little you have done ; how imperfectly you have 
done it ; how much you have to do; how little time 
there is before you ; and how soon eternity will open 
to your view. You can not be too devoted, you can 
not be too actively employed for so good a Master. 
"It is high time," says the apostle, "to awake out 
of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than 



REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 173 

when we believed." The grace you have received, 
the many answers to prayer given, the enemies that 
have been conquered, the difficulties that have been 
surmounted, should encourage you to go forward. 
Think not of fainting now, after the battles that have 
been won, and the glory that has been obtained. 
Despair not now, after the strength that has been 
communicated, and the deliverances you have ex- 
perienced. Eelax not now, after you have found 
the Lord to be faithful. Let the recollection of past 
favors stimulate to future exertions. Strength shall 
be given equal to the day. His grace is sufficient, 
and it is he that hath said, " Trust in the Lord for 
ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. 
Therefore be steadfast, unmovable, always abound- 
ing in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know 
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Is. 
xxvi. 3, 1 Cor. xv. 58. 

Lastly ; learn, from past experience of the divine 
goodness, to live more by faith, to be more depend- 
ent on the faithfulness and promises of Grod. I ap- 
peal to you, Christian reader, whether the Lord 
has ever been u unto you as a wilderness, and a land 
of darkness." He has not given you up to wretched- 
ness and woe ; he has not left you to yourself. A 
thousand and a thousand times he has alleviated 
your pain, heard your cries, and delivered you in 
the day of trouble. Why not, then, trust him with 
all your concerns, and leave, cheerfully leave every 
event in his hand ? Eemember, from what you have 



174 REMEMBRANCE OF PAST EXPERIENCE. 

already seen, that there is no darkness but he can 
turn into light, no crooked thing but he can make 
straight, no enemy but he can conquer, no mountain 
but he can cause to become a plain. Go then, 
Christian, to his throne. "Be careful for nothing, 
but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with 
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known 
unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth 
all understanding, shall keep your heart and mind 
through Christ Jesus." Phil. iv. 6, 7* 



RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 175 



CHAPTER VIII. 

ON THE RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 

It is evident, from the consideration of the powers 
of man, that he was not made for himself. The so- 
cial principle he possesses, the sympathy he feels, 
the faculties of communication bestowed upon him 
by his Maker, and the relation in which he stands, 
demonstrate that he was designed to exist not merely 
as a monument of creative wisdom, but as an instru- 
ment to promote the welfare of his fellow creatures. 
Consider him as unconnected with society : his mind 
is contracted, his powers have but little room to play, 
and he becomes subject to an inminierable multi- 
tude of evils, which his own wisdom can not shun, nor 
his power alleviate. The Almighty, therefore, has 
wisely fitted him for social intercourse, by which his 
latent energies are exerted, his wants supplied, his 
mind informed, and the sorrows incident to this pre- 
sent state in some measure lessened. 

But if man in general be a creature formed for so- 
ciety, how much more so is the Christian I He not 
only possesses those principles common to every 
man, and which are adapted for the general benefit 
of others, while in this world, but he possesses still 



176 RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 

higher principles. He is endued with wisdom from 
above. The immortal soul is the object of his con- 
cern. He does not merely find himself in society, 
but he wishes to be active in it, in order that good 
may be done, and the glory of God promoted by his 
instrumentality. Various are the ways by which 
these noble ends are to be accomplished. Eeading 
the Scriptures, supplication, meekness of spirit, and 
a holy conduct, he considers as excellent means of 
doing good. But he. beholds himself &s an object of 
discriminating favor. He can never forget what 
great things God has done for him. A sense of these 
lies warm on his heart. He can not be silent. " Shall 
all creation speak," he exclaims, " shall all the uni- 
verse be as one tongue to celebrate the divine be- 
nignity, shall all the dispensations of his providence 
loudly proclaim his glory, and shall I be dumb ? No ! 
the very stones would cry out. I have tasted that 
the Lord is gracious. Others shall learn from my 
relation the wonders of sovereign grace and redeem- 
ing love. " Open thou my lips, and my mouth shall 
show forth thy praise. Come and hear, all ye that 
fear God, and I will tell you what he hath done for 
my soul ! Suffer me a little, and I will show thee 
that I have yet to speak on God's behalf." Ps. li. 
15, Ps. lxvi. 16, Job xxxvi. 2. 

" Come ye that fear the Lord, 
And listen while I tell 
How narrowly my feet escap'd 
The snares of death and hell. 



RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 177 

My drooping head he raised, 
My bleeding wounds he heal'd ; 

Pardon'd my sins, and with a smile 
The gracious pardon seal'd. 

may I ne'er forget 

The mercy of my God, 
Nor ever want a tongue to spread 

His loudest praise abroad!" 

Dr. Stennett. 

In this way it is that the Christian desires to be 
useful, and becomes a blessing to society. While he 
diligently makes use of every means that is appoint- 
ed, gratitude constrains him to testify to others the 
obligations he is under to his Grod. He has nothing 
to glory in, as it respects himself. His communica- 
tions are not the communications of the vain boast- 
er, the self-conceited pharisee, or the loquacious but 
empty professor. He is humbled in the dust under 
a conviction of his unworthiness. He considers 
himself as an unprofitable servant : and though his 
tongue be as the pen of a ready writer, yet his speech 
is with grace, seasoned with salt. Out of the good 
treasure of his heart he bringeth forth good things. 

But now let us consider more particularly what 
forms the subject-matter of his conversation in the 
relation of his experience to others. And, first, the 
grace of God in his conversion is often a pleasing 
topic on which he delights to dwell. Amidst the 
vast variety of subjects that occupied the mind, 
dwelt on the lips, and employed the pen of the 
8* 



178 RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 

apostle Paul, that of his own conversion was not 
the least insisted on and brought forward. What 
a noble, manly, beautiful, and interesting account 
does he give when standing before Agrippa ! When 
writing to the Corinthians, he did not forget to re- 
late the goodness of God towards him in this respect. 
" Christ," says he, " after his resurrection, was seen 
of above five hundred brethren at once. After that 
he was seen of James ; then of all the apostles. 
And last of all he was seen of me also, as ' of one 
born out of due time. For I am the least of the 
apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, 
because I persecuted the church of God. But, by 
the grace of God, I am what I am ; and his grace, 
which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain ; but 
I labored more abundantly. than they all ; yet not I, 
but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Cor. 
xv. 1, etc. Thus, also, when writing to the Gala- 
tians, he says, " For ye have heard of my conversa- 
tion in time past in the Jews' religion, how that 
beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, 
and wasted it. And profited in the Jews' religion 
above many my equals in mine own nation, being 
more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my 
fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated 
me from my mother's womb, and called me by his 
grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach 
him among the heathen, immediately I conferred not 
with flesh and blood," etc. Gal. i. 13, etc. With 
what a noble triumph does he declare to the Philip- 



RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 179 

, pians the effects of his conversion! " What things 
were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 
Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for 
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my 
Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, 
and do count them but dung that I may win Christ." 
Phil. iii. 7, 8. Again, in writing to Timothy, how 
he expresses his gratitude ! " I thank Christ Jesus 
our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted 
me faithful, putting me into the ministry, who was be- 
fore a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious," 
etc. 1 Tim. i. 12, 13, etc. But it may be objected, 
that the apostle's conversion was miraculous, and, 
therefore, deserved a frequent relation and a lasting 
record. It is granted it was. But is not the con- 
version of every impenitent man a kind of miracle ? 
It is a work which can be effected only by the same 
Power that can create a world, or reverse the general 
laws of nature. The darkness of the understanding, 
the obstinacy of the will, the unruliness of the affec- 
tions, can only be removed by a supernatural influ- 
ence. The work is not of man. "Can the Ethio- 
pian change his skin, or the leopard his spots ? then 
may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do 
evil." Jer. xiii. 23. Conversion, therefore, is the 
work of a divine hand; and when a man is' brought 
to see his wretched state by nature, that he merits 
nothing but wrath, that perpetual misery must have 
been his portion if he had been left to himself, the 
change that is produced can not be considered by 



180 RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 

him in any other light than as an extraordinary event; 
an event which is of such importance to him as an 
immortal creature, that it can not fail to impress with 
gratitude, and stimulate to love. An event which, 
as it will be celebrated for ever in the world above, 
can not, will not, be forgotten in this world below. 

But it is not the circumstance of his conversion 
only, but the influence of the Holy Spirit in his 
sanctification also, that he has to bear testimony of 
before others. He remembers the time when sin 
was the object of his delight ; when he pursued the 
pleasures of the world with avidity ; when the reli- 
gion of Jesus and the Gospel of his salvation were 
ridiculed as a fable. But now he finds himself a 
new creature: old things are passed away, and all 
things are become new. He has new perceptions, 
new affections, new consolations, new expectations, 
and new companions. But to what does he .attribute 
the happy change? To the force of education, the 
power of argument, the resolution of self, the exer- 
tions of his own mind? No ; but to the agency of 
that Divine Being, whose prerogative it is to illu- 
minate the mind, and sanctify the heart. " Ye are 
washed,' 7 says the apostle, "ye are sanctified, ye 
are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and 
by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor. vi. 11. To this 
he can subscribe, as being the sentiment of his own 
mind. "It is the Holy Spirit," says he, "that 
wrought in me a hatred to sin and a regard to holi- 
ness. He took of the things of the Saviour, and 



RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 181 

discovered them unto my soul. I was ignorant, 
proud, insensible, and careless, like others ; but now 
I can testify of that powerful grace, that has, in a 
measure, subdued the impetuous passions of my cor- 
rupt nature. Now I love that which I once abhorred, 
and hate that which once I loved. Sin appears ex- 
ceeding sinful. I can no longer indulge it as I once 
did, no longer look upon it with delight, no longer 
countenance it in others. But it is to thee, blessed 
Spirit, that I am indebted for these views, these 
feelings ; and it is by thy influence alone that I have 
been enabled to renounce the world, and to perse- 
vere in the good old way. Not unto me, not unto 
me, but unto thy name, be all the glory and all the 
praise. Thou hast delivered my soul from death, 
mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I 
will sing of thy power, I will proclaim thy good- 
ness. Thou hast done great things for me, whereof 
I am glad. Eejoice with me, ye righteous, and give 
thanks. Let us praise his name together, and talk 
of his marvellous grace, that has brought my soul 
into the path that leads to everlasting life and 
glory." 

The goodness of God in supplying both his tem- 
poral and spiritual wants, forms a pleasing subject 
of relation. Thus the psalmist could say, " I sought 
the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from 
all my fears. My mouth shall show forth his right- 
eousness and his salvation all the day, for I know not 
the numbers thereof. He maketh me to lie down in 



182 RELATION OF EXPEDIENCE. 

green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. 
He restoreth my soul, and leadeth me in the paths 
of righteousness for his name's sake." Ps. xxxiv. 4, 
Ps. lxxi., Ps. xxiii. Thus the apostle Paul could 
say, "I have all, and abound. I have learned, in 
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual bless- 
ings in heavenly places in Christ." Phil. iv. 11, 
Eph. i. 3. Nothing is more pleasant to the Christian 
than to testify of the divine care which has always 
been manifested towards him. How often have his 
necessities been supplied ; and perhaps, in the season 
of extremity, Providence has interposed on his 
behalf. " Various," says the Christian, " have been 
the scenes through which I have passed, many dark 
nights, and dreadful storms ; but my God hath sup- 
ported me in the midst of all. Under the shadow 
of his wings have I been kept. With what care has 
he watched over me, with what tenderness beheld 
me, with what wisdom guided me ! How oft, when 
I have been scheming for myself, and laying out my 
plans, has he frustrated all, profitably disappointed 
me, and saved me from unknown trouble and 
sorrow ! At other times, when I have sat pensive, 
wondering how I should obtain the blessings I desired, 
and almost ready to despair of possessing them, how 
has the Lord appeared! He has caused his good- 
ness to pass before me. Friends have been raised 
up where I expected nothing but enemies ; comforts 



RELATION OP EXPERIENCE. 183 

have been sent in the place of crosses ; circumstances 
which in themselves have appeared unpleasant, have 
been so overruled by the wise hand of Providence, 
as to become the means of my support ; and that 
which I dreaded as a trial, has actually become a 
source of peace and joy, 0, how great is his good- 
ness to the children of men ! Bless the Lord, O my 
soul." 

But the Christian has not been without his 
troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous ; 
and he has found it true, that man is born to trouble 
as the sparks fly upward. But here he hath a pleas- 
ing testimony to bear to the kindness of his heavenly 
Father. He has been supported in the hour of dis- 
tress, and the house of mourning has been to him 
the house of prayer and the place of joy. " Never," 
says he, " could I have thought I should have been 
enabled to bear what I have borne. Could I have 
foreseen all, how should I have trembled! But 
where now is the mountain? Is it not a plain? 
Where now are the deep waters ? Are they not all 
dried up? How has affliction been sanctified ! 
what a. blessing has the cross been to my soul ! How 
true is his word, "When thou passest through the 
waters, I will be with thee ; and through the rivers, 
they shall not overflow thee ! When thou walkest 
through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt ; neither 
shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isa. xliii. 2. 

Most Christians have something to say of Grod's 
presence afforded them in the trying moment. 



184 RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 

Gould prison Avails speak, could the solitary cham- 
bers of sickness, could places of exile, and the habi- 
tations of woe, where Christians have been some- 
times confined, bear witness, what pleasing and 
interesting scenes would they unfold ! While their 
enemies have thought them suffering, they have 
been rejoicing; and though not indeed without feel- 
ing the cross, yet how light has it been rendered to 
them by the smiles of their God ! How many have 
had reason to be thankful for their afflictions ! 
" Glory be to God !" said one, "I never was in such 
trouble before; and never was I so supported and 
comforted." Thus also many can say. In the 
dark and gloomy valley, light hath appeared ; flow- 
ers have sprung up in the wilderness ; and the spot 
that looked so barren has become verdant and fruit- 
ful. "Thou, O Lord," can the Christian say, "hast 
heard me in the day of my calamity : I have heard 
thy voice, I have enjoyed thy presence. In the day 
when I cried, thou answeredst me, and strengthen - 
edst me with strength in my soul. Thou hast made 
the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are 
still. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his 
benefits towards me ? I will take the cup of salva- 
tion, and call upon the name of the Lord." Ps. 
cxvi. 12, 13. 

The power of God in conquering his enemies, and 
delivering him out of his difficulties, forms also ano- 
ther part of his relation. There are few Christians 
but who can remember a variety of signal deliver- 



RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 185 

ances from trouble. These the Christian attributes 
not to second causes, not to human means, but to 
the interposition of a Superior Power. One can say, 
"I was surrounded with danger, and saw no pos- 
sible way for escape ; the scene grew darker every 
hour, and I was almost ready to exclaim, 'The 
mercy of the Lord is clean gone for ever,' when 
suddenly help was afforded me, a refuge was discov- 
ered, and the means of safety were unexpectedly 
given." Another can say, "I was fast bound by 
the cords of affliction ; I struggled to get free, but 
all in vain : my heart was ready to faint within me ; 
troubles accumulated, the prospect of deliverance 
every day shortening ; when, behold, the hand of 
Providence appeared in setting me at liberty, and 
that in such a way as I never thought of!" A 
third can say, " I was ready to sink under the pun- 
gent conviction of my own depravity. I was fearful 
of falling a victim to the wrath of an offended God. 
I saw no evidence to conclude that I was among the 
number of the righteous. l Miserable, sinful wretch !' 
said I : c will not God be glorified in thy destruction ? 
For how can one so sinful and unworthy ever in- 
herit the kingdom of heaven!" But how distin- 
guishing the goodness of God! He appeared for 
my relief. He dissipated the cloud ; I was enabled 
to look up ; I saw on the cross the bleeding Saviour ; 
I beheld the motto written on his breast, ' Behold 
the lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the 
world.' My fears subsided, peace was bestowed, 



186 RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 

and I was enabled to arise, and to go on my way 
rejoicing." A fourth can say, "I was beset with 
enemies, I was an object of reproach, 'a scorn and 
derision to them who were round about me.' Ma- 
levolence laid a" snare ; the tongue of slander mis- 
represented my motives and actions, and hatred 
opposed my interest in every direction. But how 
has the Lord verified his word ! I heard his voice 
saying, ' Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also 
in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall 
bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy 
judgment as the noon day. Best in the Lord, and 
wait patiently for him ; fret not thyself because of 
him who bringeth wicked devices to pass.' Ps. 
xxxvii. 5, 6, 7. He has now made mine enemies to 
be at peace with me ; they have been brought to see 
the folly of their own conduct ; and those who were 
once violent and injurious are now become quiet 
and submissive." 

A fifth can say, "I was bereaved, and left discon- 
solate : I thought I could never be happy any more. 
The world became as a wilderness unto me. 'I 
am, 5 said I, 'made to possess months of vanity, and 
wearisome nights are appointed unto me.' When I 
lie down, I said, l When shall I arise, and the night 
be gone ? I am full of tossing to and fro unto the 
dawning of the day.' Job vii. 3, 4. But how mer- 
ciful is Jehovah ! he healed my wounded spirit, he 
dried up my tears. I 'forgot my misery, and re- 
membered it as waters that pass away.' " Another 



EELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 187 

can say, " With, what horror have I looked upon the 
last enemy, death ! How often has the thought of 
it made me tremble ! "What anxious cares have I 
had for my friends, my children, and those about 
me ! How painful was the thought of leaving them ; 
how hard to take the last farewell! But now, 
thanks be to God, he has heard my prayer, he has 
taken away the fear. c All the days of my appoint- 
ed time will I wait till my change come.' I have 
listened to the command, ' Leave thy fatherless 
children ; I will preserve them, alive ; and let thy 
widows trust in me. For me to live is Christ, and 
to die is gain.' I rejoice in the thought of being for 
ever with. him. L I shall behold his face in right- 
eousness : when I awake, I shall be satisfied with. 
his likeness.' " Ps. xvii. 15, Jer. xlix. 11, Phil. i. 
21, Job xix. 26, Job xiv. 14. 

Thus have Christians to relate to others various 
but merciful deliverances from trouble. And how 
animating is it to hear what Grod has done for those 
who trust in him ; of faith honored, prayers answered, 
deliverances wrought, and mercies received ! 

The relation of our experience may, however, be 
objected to by some. Eeligion, say they, is silent. 
It occupies the heart. Besides, does it not savor of 
ostentation and vanity to be talking of ourselves? 
These are futile objections. Eeligion, it is granted, 
is not clamorous ; but then it is benevolent. It is 
of a quiet and peaceable nature ; but then it is not 
dumb. She must lift up her voice, but then it is the 



188 RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 

voice of mercy and of kindness. She is life as well 
as peace. " Not the life of a fury, that hath no peace 
in it ; nor the peace of a stone, that hath no life in it." 
Religion, it must be acknowledged, takes its rise 
in the heart, but then it is not to be confined there. 
It is of too operative a nature to be inclosed within 
the boundaries of the understanding. The affec- 
tions will be moved ; and when that is the case, the 
eye will weep, the tongue must speak, and every 
power will be exerted and roused to activity. 

Besides, it can not savor of ostentation, when the 
tendency is to exalt the Creator, and abase the crea- 
ture. Christians have nothing to say to set them- 
selves off, but to magnify the grace of God. The 
relation they give, the testimony they bear, is found- 
ed on gratitude, influenced by love ; attended with 
humility, and has for its end the glory of God, and 
the welfare of immortal souls. 

But the propriety of declaring our experience we 
may consider further, by observing that it is both 
implied and commanded in the sacred Scriptures : 
" Let us consider one another," says the apostle, " to 
provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking 
the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner 
of some is, but exhorting one another ; and so much 
the more, as ye see the day approaching." Heb. x. 
24, 25. " Go home to thy friends," said our Lord to 
him that had been possessed with the devil," and tell 
them how great things the Lord hath done for thee." 
Mark. v. 19. " Let the word of Christ dwell in you 



RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 189 

richly, teaching and admonishing one another in 
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with 
grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col. iii. 16. It is 
evident, from these passages, that Christians are to 
assemble together, and no one can suppose that the 
relation of what God has done for them is to be ex- 
cluded from their exercises on such occasions. It 
forms a considerable part of Christian edification, 
and in some measure resembles the heavenly world, 
where we shall not only for ever contemplate the 
work of God in ourselves, but in all those who shall 
surround the throne. 

Eeserved, solitary Christians should remember 
this. If it be a command to assemble ourselves to- 
gether, is it not wrong wilfully to abstain from the 
society of the righteous ? If it be a duty to commu- 
nicate, is it not highly improper to be silent ? Yet 
there are some, who, from a singularity of tem- 
per, or a timidity almost bordering on sinfulness, 
seem to be travelling to heaven alone. They join 
no society, they keep their experience from others, 
and proceed without mingling their joys and their 
griefs with those who are going the same way. But 
such little know how disadvantageous this is to 
themselves. They have to bear their own burdens ; 
their sorrows, confined within their own breasts, are 
ready to tear them asunder. Not having communi- 
cation with others, they are ready to suppose that 
none are so tried as themselves; and if they do 
stumble, they have none to interpose and save. Let 



190 RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 

such, recollect what the wise man has left on record, 
that "two are better than one, because they have 
a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the 
one will lift up his fellow ; but woe to him that is 
alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to 
lift him up." Eccl. iv. 9, 10. 

Further ; we may observe that, in the relation of 
our experience, we follow the example both, of Old 
and New Testament saints. " "We took sweet coun- 
sel," says David, "and walked unto the bouse of 
God in company." Psalm lv. 14. "They that 
feared the Lord," says the prophet Malachi, "spake 
often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and 
heard it, and a book of remembrance was written 
before him, for them that feared the Lord, and that 
thought upon his name." Mai. iii. .16. "When 
Jesus was presented in the temple, Anna, the pro- 
phetess, coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise 
unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that 
looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Luke ii. 38. 
The woman of Samaria, feeling the power of divine 
grace in her own heart, could not help exclaiming, 
" Come, and see a man which told me all things that 
ever I did. Is not this the Christ?" John iv. 29: 
The apostle Paul observes of the Corinthian Church, 
" When ye come together, every one of you hath a 
psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revela- 
tion, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done 
to edifying. If all prophesy, and there come in one 
that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced 



RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 191 

of all, he is judged of all. And thus are the secrets 
of his heart made manifest, and so, falling down on 
his face, he will worship God, and report that God 
is in you of a truth." 1 Cor. xiv. 24, 25, 26. 

Such also are within the promise. " Where two 
or three are gathered together in my name, there," 
says the Saviour, "am I in the midst of them." 
Matt, xviii. 20. To meet for the purpose of declar- 
ing the great things God has done for us, to exalt 
the Saviour, by relating to each other the wonders 
of his love, the effects of his- grace, the views we 
have of his dignity, his providences, his word, his 
life and death ; this is surely to meet in his name. 
Such may expect to enjoy the divine blessing, anc^ 
to grow in the divine life. 

The relief it affords to ourselves is an encourage- 
ment to be often found in this work. How pleasant 
to tell others the way by which we came, the inci- 
dents that befel us, the dangers we escaped, and the 
kind and continual assistance we received from our 
heavenly Father! How our burdens lose their 
weight, when others, by their attention to our story 
and sympathy with our state, take a part on them- 
selves ! " When we can diffuse our lives, ourselves, 
our concerns, so far as to weep with another's eyes ; 
when we have another heart besides our own, both 
to share and to support our griefs ; and when, if our 
joys overflow, we can treasure up the overplus and 
redundancy of them in another's breast, so that we 
can, as it were, shake off the solitude of a single 



192 RELATION OF EXPERIENCE. 

nature by dwelling in two bodies at once, and live 
by another's breath."* 

But, finally, we may consider what influence it 
has on others, as well as ourselves. How many 
may be instructed by the judicious relation of a 
godly man ! How often does it produce light in the 
understanding of the ignorant! How it resolves 
cases of conscience, under which the trembling be- 
liever had been doubting! and how often does it 
point out the way the inquiring traveller should go ! 
Does it not frequently operate, also, as a prevent- 
ive ? We hear how the plans of others have failed ; 
how dangerous it is to go near the precipice ; how 
# uncertain all things here are ; how necessary that 
our dependence should be entirely on Grod, and that 
no confidence should ever be placed on things of an 
earthly nature. But what consolation, also, is to be 
derived, when we hear how faithful God has been 
to his promises ; how wonderfully he has appeared 
for them who looked to him ; how mercifully he 
has alleviated pain, directed in time of difficulty, 
protected in seasons of danger, and enabled the 
Christian to persevere through every trial ! How 
does this animate to duty, excite holy courage, and 
humble confidence ! Will not the hearer of such 
relations be ready to say, " Shame, then, be to me, 
that I should be so unbelieving, so impatient, so lit- 
tle dependent. Father of mercies, increase my faith, 
stir up my soul to serve thee with constant zeal and 

* South. 



RELATION" OF EXPERIENCE. 193 

holy activity. O, may I trust in thy name, go for- 
ward in thy work, and at last reach the mansions of 
eternal glory !" 

We might here subjoin a few observations as to 
the manner of relating our experience. But the 
reader will find something said on this head in the 
eleventh chapter, under Advice respecting Experience. 







194 THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 



CHAPTBE IX. 

THE AGKED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

There can not be a more melancholy sight than 
old age insensible to religion, and hardened in the 
ways of iniquity. To see a person on the verge of 
eternity, who has devoted all his life to ungodliness, 
who is still unmindful of the interests of the immor- 
tal soul, deaf to reproof, and abandoned to vice, is 
of all things the most affecting. Who can behold 
such an object without pity, without sorrow, without 
the most lively concern? Who, possessed of the 
least benevolent feeling, but must say, " that such 
were wise, that they understood, that they did but 
consider their latter end!" Deut. xxxii. 29. 

On the contrary, what a pleasing, what an inter- 
esting sight to behold the aged turning their back 
upon the world, walking in the path of godliness, 
and longing for a better state ! " The hoary head is 
a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of right- 
eousness." Prov. xvi. 31. Piety is always orna- 
mental. In youth, how lovely and amiable! in 
middle age, how bright and useful ! but in old age, 
how venerable, how commanding, how respectful ! 



THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 195 

This is, indeed, a crown of glory, which, notwith- 
standing the decrepitude of the animal frame, and 
the decay of the intellectual powers, yet adorns the 
possessor, and reflects a splendor in the circle where 
he moves. How delightful to behold the aged 
Christian contemplating with gratitude the divine 
conduct towards him, and still ardently imploring 
the continuance of the divine blessing! How 
pleasant to hear him, with the psalmist, saying, "O 
God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and 
hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now 
also, when I am old and gray-headed, God, forsake 
me not, until I have showed thy strength unto this 
generation, and thy power to every one that is to 
come." Ps. lxxi. 17, 18. 

But we are not going to draw the aged Christian 
as the picture of perfection. Allowing that he may 
have greater claims both to knowledge and experi- 
ence than others, yet it must be remembered that he 
is still in the flesh, and consequently subject to infirm- 
ities. Yea, there are some things which are more 
peculiar to old age than to any other part of human 
life, and which even the best and wisest Christians 
in that stage find too powerfully operating in their 
own breasts. The weakness brought on by length 
of years often disposes them to be peevish and fret- 
ful. A little thing makes an impression on their 
spirits. They are ready to imagine everything 
militates against them. They will hardly indulge 
the young in a sprightly conversation, or a lawful 



196 THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE, 

vivacity. As the powers begin to be contracted, and 
the senses lose their wonted operation, the mind 
often sinks into a state of gloom, and this gloom 
becomes a medium through which they are apt to 
look at surrounding objects. Hence their complaints 
that everything is worse than formerly ; that the 
present age is so much inferior to the past. 

How often does covetousness also strive to pre- 
dominate at this time of life ! How many fears per- 
plex the minds of the aged, lest, during the remain- 
ing small portion of their lives, something should 
happen to deprive them of their property, or expose 
them to want ! How do they sometimes forget the 
Providence which hath always attended them, and 
act as if they thought they were destined to live 
many years, as if there were many wants to be 
supplied, and as if the same kind Providence would 
not take care of them when they shall be once more 
reduced to that state when they can not take care of 
themselves. 

These things too often injure the minds of many ; 
and hence arises that lukewarmness to be seen in 
some aged professors. It is a sad thing, however, to 
behold Christians declining as they draw near the 
grave. For to be anxious about the world when 
we are going to leave it, indicates a heart little in- 
fluenced by grace ; and is as inconsistent as for a 
man to adorn himself with gold and silver just as 
he is going to bed. While, therefore, the natural 
infirmities of the aged demand tenderness, and ex- 



THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 197 

cite our sympathy, yet we can not but pity and 
deplore the case of those who make complaints, 
indulge avarice, and imbibe a worldly spirit. 

Aged Christians in general, however, have not so 
learned Christ. They feel these evils, indeed, strug- 
gling within them, while they often stop and drop a 
tear that they who are on the confines of heaven 
should at any time feel themselves alive to the 
world. It is not their element. They are seeking 
a better country ; they are desiring to enter into 
that rest which is prepared for them above. Yes ; 
we are thankful that the Christian church pro- 
duces so many instances of long-standing monuments 
of divine goodness, who have been preserved, not- 
withstanding the rude blasts of opposition and the 
fiery trials to which they have been exposed ; and 
which, blessed be God, shall yet stand, immovably 
stand, through death and everlasting ages. 

We will now proceed to consider what is more 
particularly characteristic of the aged Christian's ex- 
perience. 

And, first, we may observe in the aged Christian 
that wisdom and knowledge which are not generally 
found in those of younger years. " Days speak, and 
multitude of years teach wisdom." Job xxxii. 7. 
They have learned much by their experience ; the 
length of time they have been in the world has 
taught them knowledge. What revolutions have 
they witnessed in the world! What changes in 
families! What vicissitudes in everything about 



198 THE AGED CHRISTIANAS EXPERIENCE. 

them ! What different appearances have surround- 
ing objects assumed! ■ What strange events have 
taken place ! In what different circumstances, per- 
haps, do the} 7 " behold themselves, to those in which 
they once were 1 As they have long been in the 
way, what a multitude of objects have presented 
themselves to their view ! How have they been 
tried by their own hearts ! How often been drawn 
away by their own corruptions ! By what sad ex- 
perience have they arrived to a knowledge of them- 
selves ! How severe, sometimes, has been the con- 
flict with the enemy of souls ! How have they been 
deceived by his insidious snares ! How constantly 
opposed by his attacks ! How wearied and exhaust- 
ed by his fiery temptations ! What have they suf- 
fered from the world, from its frowns, from its 
smiles, from its cares, its connections, its allure- 
ments ! What dark providences, what unexpected 
and accumulated afflictions, have they, in the course 
of their long pilgrimage, been called to bear ! But 
have they gained nothing by the view and the expe- 
rience of all these circumstances? Yes, verily. 
How has it enlarged their minds ! What a different 
idea have they of things to what they once had ! 
The vanity of the world, the mutability of the crea- 
ture, the sudden transitions from pain to pleasure, 
from dignity to contempt, from friendship to enmity, 
from the calm to the storm, which they have so fre- 
quently witnessed in this state of things, make them 
moderate in their enjoyments, prudent in their mea- 



THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 199 

sures, cautious in their pursuits, and suspicious of 
that security which the world promises to afford. 
They have seen enough to wean their minds from 
sublunary things, and to excite them to place their 
hope and confidence in God only. " My soul, wait 
thou only upon Grod, for my expectation is from 
him : He only is my rock and salvation. I will, 
therefore, look unto him, and not be afraid. The 
Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I 
hope in him." Ps. lxii. 5, 6, Is. xii. 2, Lam. iii. 24. 

But this leads us immediately to consider the aged 
Christian in his proper character, as dead to the 
world. Indeed, everything about him and within 
him, rightly considered, has a tendency to remind 
him of his duty in this respect. The voice of nature 
cries, nor can he be deaf to her calls. His mortal 
tabernacle, like an ancient dwelling, gives evident 
signs of decay. Already, indeed, parts of the feeble 
mansion have fell. Death has begun his attack. It 
appears in the faculty of vision, over which the last 
enemy has drawn a veil. It hath filled the counte- 
nance with a pallid look. It has benumbed the ani- 
mal frame. Strength is nearly gone : " the evil 
days are come, the years wherein there is no plea- 
sure ; the grasshopper becomes a burden, and desire 
fails." Eccl. xii. 1, 5. 

What an affecting sight, also, now presents itself ! 
He looks around, but where are the objects that for- 
merly delighted him ? Yonder habitation, once pos- 
sessed by a friend, now becomes the habitation of a 



200 THE AGED CHKISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

stranger. There dwelt the companion of his youth, 
and the associate of his middle age ; but he is no 
more. Behold that whole family, that bid fair to 
withstand many a storm, now all swept away by 
death ! He has seen almost everything decay. 0, 
how he looks back to the spot where he formerly 
enjoyed happiness, where he beheld the objects of 
his affection, where his comforts were thich about 
Mm ! He revisits the place, he sighs over the spot. 
It is all barren now. He can only drop a tear, and 
return. u He now finds himself almost a solitary 
being in the midst of a new generation, whose faces 
he hardly knows. The shades of his departed 
friends rise up before him, and warn him that it is 
time to depart. Nature and Providence summon 
him to be gathered to his fathers. Eeason admon- 
ishes him, that, as his predecessors made way for 
him, it is just that he should give place to those who 
have risen to succeed him on this busy stage ; who 
for a while shall fill it with their actions and their 
sufferings, and then shall, in their turns, withdraw, 
and be joined to the forgotten multitudes of former 
ages. 

But, above all, his nearness to heaven admonishes 
him to leave the world. How long have I to live, 
said Barzillai to the king, that I should go up with 
the king to Jerusalem? I am this day fourscore 
years old ; and can I discern between good and evil ? 
Can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink ? 
Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and 



THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 201 

singing women ? Wherefore, then, should thy ser- 
vant be yet a burden unto my lord the king ? Let 
thy servant, I pray, turn back again, that I may die. 
2 Sam. xix. 32, etc. 

Thus, too, the aged Christian can say : " What is 
the world to me ? I am sick of its vanities, I am 
weary of its cares. What are all its grandeurs, its 
riches, its pomps, its pleasures? These are only 
golden chains, that would prevent me from soaring 
to a better world. Why should I, whose body is in- 
firm, whose powers are decaying, whose connections 
are almost all dissolved, and who am continually re- 
ceiving warnings of my mortality, why should I still 
cleave to the world ? Indeed, what can there be at- 
tracting on earth to one who is every day waiting 
for heaven, and longing to be in the presence of God 
in a better world ?" Thus the Christian hears the 
voice of nature, of Providence, and of eternity, call- 
ing him away. 

But though the Christian is in a measure dead to 
the world, yet he can take no complacency in him- 
self. However retired, however calm his last days', 
yet he can not help remembering his past imperfec- 
tions. Hence we may consider self-abasement as en- 
tering peculiarly into the experience, and forming a 
striking part of the mind and character of an aged 
saint. The retrospect which he takes of his past 
life fills him with shame ; and though it has always 
been his desire to glorify God, and to be employed 
in his service, yet he knows that he has done nothing 
9* 



202 THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

as he ought to do, and is humbled under a sense of 
his little fruitfulness. " It resembles the view which 
a traveller takes from some eminence, of a barren 
country through which he has passed, where the 
heath and the desert form the chief prospect, diver- 
sified only by a few scattered spots of imperfect cul- 
tivation." Let us hear his confession. " Few and 
evil have the days of the years of my life been. 
What secret backslidings have I been guilty of! 
How cold have been my affections! What innu- 
merable mercies have I received ! but alas ! what 
feeble returns of gratitude ! How has the world be- 
wildered and deceived me ! and though I have been 
preserved from the ruin to which it endeavored to 
draw me, yet how often have I been imposed upon 
by its smiles, in what difficulties have I been in- 
volved by its cares ! How little have I done for Grod ! 
How weak my exertions ! Alas ! how few cha- 
racters have been enlightened by my instructions, 
awed by my reproofs, impressed by my conversa- 
tion, or reformed by my example ! How much 
time has run to waste ! How have I been deceived 
by procrastination ! How has old age crept upon 
me before I can say anything has been done ! And 
now I begin to be incapable of doing much. 0, if 
my life were to come over again, methinks how 
different should it be spent as to many things ! I am 
filled with shame that so many years have past away, 
comparatively barren and unfruitful." Thus the aged 
Christian is humbled under a view of his past life ; 



THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 203 

and though there may be a great difference among 
Christians as to their devotedness of mind and their 
usefulness in the world, yet they all have to com- 
plain. For where is the man, however enlarged his 
mind, however eminent his piety, however useful his 
endeavors, but what must feel some uneasiness on 
reviewing what is past ? Can any aged Christian, 
standing on the verge of eternity, look back with 
confidence, and say that he has done all that he could, 
all that he ought ; that there have been no moments 
of indolence or unconcern ; that no evil propensities 
have ever once been indulged; that he has served 
God with all that spirituality of mind, that ardent 
zeal, that constant attention, that he ought ; that he 
has discharged his duty to his fellow creatures with 
perfect propriety, and that in nothing he could have 
done more than he has ? Alas ! on the contrary, the 
older, the wiser, the holier the Christian is, the more 
he is humbled and grieved under a view of himself; 
the more, like Job, he is ready to exclaim. Behold, I 
am vile ; I abhor myself. 

Another thing we may distinguish in old age is 
that cool deliberation, wise caution, and just gravity, 
not so discernible in the inexperienced. Youth is 
too precipitate, too confident of its own wisdom, too 
often ready to assume when it should retire ; but age is 
deliberate, wise, and cautious. How many sad sights 
has the aged Christian beheld ! What numbers he 
has seen ruined by their rashness, involving them- 
selves and their connections in the deepest distress 



204 THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

by their impatience, their precipitate measures, their 
self-will ! He is therefore determined to view things 
on all sides, to examine them in all their bearings. 
He is cool, patient, persevering, knowing by experi- 
ence how much better it is to wait than to be in haste. 
Hence, too, his gravity may be accounted for ; not 
because he has lost the fire of youth only, but he has 
seen the vanity of all things : he feels the consequence 
of his own errors ; he has witnessed a continual scene 
of vicissitudes. He has beheld earthly enjoyments, 
like the flowers of the field, raise their heads, expand 
their leaves, exhibit their bloom, then wither and 
die. And this, says he, is human life. It is only 
the world above that is worth seeking. It is only the 
joy that arises from the hope of the celestial inher- 
itance that is permanent. I sigh for that blessed 
abode, while I would watch against everything 
that would take off my attention from that glorious 
object. 

We are not to suppose, however, that the aged 
Christian is void of pleasure ; that the view he takes 
of life, however humbling, embitters everything to 
him ; and that his gravity and cool deliberation 
degenerate into apathy and unthankfulness. On 
the contrary, he experiences a pleasure which it is 
impossible for a young Christian to possess. What 
a rich repast does it afford his mind to contemplate 
the dispensations of Divine Providence ! During a 
course of forty, perhaps fifty or sixty years, what 
wonderful events have come to pass ! He has seen 



THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 205 

the lofty mountain become a plain ; the most dis- 
tressing circumstances become the occasion of the 
most abundant joys ; the death of one comfort, the 
life of others ; the very things which were dreaded 
as the most formidable evils, overruled for bringing 
about the most extraordinary events. 

And what a peculiar pleasure, also, arises from 
the contemplation of himself, as being the object of 
the divine care! He has beheld himself, indeed, 
circumvented in one place, and tried in another; 
connections formed that once he had no idea of; 
his habitation fixed in a part of the world he was 
long unacquainted with ; strangers becoming friends, 
and friends becoming strangers ; little events, so 
called, leading to those of an important nature : but 
all under the direction of the Disposer of all things. 
With what thankfulness can he recollect the evils 
he has escaped, the comforts he has enjoyed, the 
various times when his wants have been supplied, 
and, indeed, the kindness of Providence on a thou- 
sand occasions ! 

The Christian in old age, then, is not destitute of 
joy. Besides the satisfaction which arises from a 
wide view of a wise Providence, his very state and 
situation often shields him. It is true, his infirmi- 
ties prevent him from relishing many of those com- 
forts which once he delighted in; but then, "if he 
is a stranger to the vivacity of enjoyment, he is free 
at the same time from the pain of violent and often 
disappointed desire. Much fatigue, much vexation, 



206 THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

as well as much vanity, attend that turbulence of 
life in which the younger part of mankind are en- 
gaged. Amidst those keen pursuits and seeming 
pleasures for which they are envied, they often feel 
their own misery, and look forward with a wishful 
eye to the season of calmness and retreat. If old 
age throws some new distresses into the scale, it 
lightens, also, the weight of others. Many passions, 
which formerly disturbed his tranquillity, have now 
subsided. Many competitions, which long filled 
his days with disquiet and strife, are now at an end. 
Many afflictions, which once rent his heart with vio- 
lent anguish, are now softened into a tender emotion 
of past woe. In the beginning of life there was 
room for much apprehension, concerning what 
might befal in its progress. His hopes were inter- 
rupted by many anxieties and fears. Having finish- 
ed the career of labor and danger, his anxiety ought, 
of course, to lessen. Eeady to enter into the harbor, 
he can look back, as from a secure station, upon the 
perils he has escaped, upon the tempest by which he 
was tossed, and upon the multitudes who are still 
engaged in conflicting with the storm. 

Lastly; we may consider the aged Christian as 
waiting for heaven. He has nearly finished his 
work. His race is almost run. The conflict will 
soon be over. Behold him calmly resigning his rel- 
atives and friends to the care of Jehovah. His eye 
is fixed on the heavenly mansion. He trusts in the 
merits of the Saviour, and, as he gently passes on 



THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 207 

towards the celestial gate, his heart ascends to God 
in cheerful praises, and with heavenly strains he 



sings, 



11 My God, my everlasting hope, 
I live upon thy truth ; 
Thine hands have held my childhood up, 
And strengthened all my youth. 

" By long experience have I known 
Thy sov'reign power to save ; 
At thy command I venture down 
Securely to the grave. 

" When I he buried deep in dust, 
My flesh shall be thy care : 
These with'ring limbs with thee I trust, 
To raise them strong and fair." 

Eeader, are yon drawing near to an eternal world ? 
Has death begun his work ? are infirmities increas- 
ing ? Perhaps you are not among the number of 
those who are thus exercising faith in the divine 
promise ; but, influenced by unbelief, and distracted 
with care, are making your last, your most gloomy 
days. But if you are a Christian, why indulge 
unnecessary fears ? Why add to the infirmities of 
age the pains of anxiety, the miseries of impatience ? 
Eemember what abundant encouragement is held 
forth for the support of declining age. That gracious 
God, who has adapted his sacred Word for every 
state and condition of life, hath not forgotten those 
who feel the sorrows of an infirm body, and are on 
the confines of the grave and an eternal world. 



208 THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

How cheering, how appropriate are his promises to 
such ! "Even to your old age I am he, and even to 
hoar hairs will I carry you : I have made, and I will 
bear ; even I will carry and will deliver you." Is. 
xlvi. 4. "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full 
age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." 
Job v. 26. " Those that be planted in the house of 
the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. 
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; they 
shall be fat and flourishing." Ps. xcii. 13, 14. 
Learn to trust, therefore, in him who can alleviate 
every pain ; whose presence and promise can bear 
you up, when everything else is receding from you. 
Be not ashamed now to trust in him whom yon 
have always found faithful. Let the wicked be 
anxious, and careful, and miserable in this declining 
season ; but you, who have a God ; a promise, a 
guide, a Saviour, you should never despond. 

Consider how soon you will be in heaven. It is 
but a short step you have to take. A few moments, 
and the clock will strike your last hour. A solemn 
hour, indeed; but an hour, above all others, the 
most delightful to you ; an hour in which you shall 
put off the shackles of mortality ; the hour in which 
you shall bid adieu for ever to all the pains and sins, 
temptations and sorrows, with which you have so 
long conflicted. For this happy hour, aged Christ- 
ian, wait with tranquillity. It is fast advancing: it 
will surely come. Let your heart rejoice in the 
thought of its arrival. Look up to heaven, that 



THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 209 

you may catch, a beam of celestial glory ; that your 
countenance may yet shine ; and like a faithful serv- 
ant, listening with eager attention to hear that 
voice which will shortly say, " Come up hither, and 
sit down with me on my throne." 

While, however, it is the divine will you should 
be continued here, be ever anxious to set a good 
example. How many look up to you ! How many 
watch your temper, and observe your conduct! 
" The aged (says the apostle) should be sober, grave, 
temperate, sound in faith, in charity, and in pa- 
tience." Tit. ii. 2. Be faithful to your post. Watch 
against the evils attendant on old age. You know 
the truth; you have long experienced its power. 
The day is now nearly gone ; the evening is at hand : 
let the sun go down in its glory, and, like that lumi- 
nary, irradiating surrounding objects, and reflecting 
its splendor even when itself is no longer visible to 
the naked eye. So shall many rejoice in your light, 
and give thanks to the Father of mercies that you 
have been enabled to adorn his Gospel, and at last 
to die in Ms service. 

Let young Christians learn to revere the aged. 
There is always something venerable in age ; but 
there is something beautiful in it, when it is adorned 
with the Christian graces. "It is indeed infinitely 
better to be full of grace than full of days ; but to 
be full of days and full of grace, what a venerable 
spectacle ! To be full of years and full of faith, full 
of good works, full of the fruits of righteousness 



210 THE AGED CHRISTIANAS EXPERIENCE. 

which are by Christ, how comely and beautiful!' 7 
Draw near, young Christians, to these venerable 
characters. Sit down at their feet ; light your little 
taper from their flaming torch ; ask them the way 
they have come ; respect their report ; listen to their 
declarations : so shall you obtain wisdom from their 
instruction, prudence from their advice, and gather 
a thousand fresh motives to go forward in the hea- 
venly path. Eemember, too, ever to treat them 
with tenderness, bear with their infirmities, request 
their prayers; soften, as much as possible, every 
care, that they may go down to the grave undis- 
turbed, and bless God in beholding others coming 
forward to supply the places of those whom age has 
palsied, or death has snatched away. 

My dear reader, do you wish to be happy in old 
age ? Then learn to be wise while young. To give 
the first-fruits of our time to the god of this world, 
and the dregs of our lives to the God of heaven — 
what an insult ! No wonder the old age of some is 
so dreadfully embittered, when they have spent all 
their lives in a course of rebellion. Learn, then, to 
give up yourselves immediately to God, and think 
not of foolishly procrastinating till old age comes 
upon you. There are very few instances of aged 
sinners being reformed. Yice hardens ; the commis- 
sion of every sin is like forging a fresh chain to 
bind the soul in misery. It is adding strength to 
corrupt nature, and exposing to the greatest danger. 
The very thought of this should make every man 



THE AGED CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE. 211 

tremble who thinks the care of his soul necessary, 
and yet is for deferring it to the last part of life. 
But supposing remission of sins and repentance to 
be granted at last, how miserable to reflect on the 
evils committed, the long train of painful conse- 
quences that have followed, and which, perhaps, can 
never be remedied — no, not in eternity ! 0, how 
awful to think that I, by a sinful example, have been 
the occasion of the everlasting ruin of a son, a daugh- 
ter, a servant, a neighbor! What feelings must I 
have, what tears must I shed, and what an awful 
gloom will be cast over old age ! Let me entreat, my 
dear reader, if you be still unacquainted with divine 
things, no longer to indulge the thoughts of delay. 
It is religion alone that can make old age pleas- 
ant, and death welcome. Holy Spirit, penetrate the 
hearts of the unconcerned. May they seek thee while 
thou art to be found. Show them their misery and 
sinfulness. Lead them to the Saviour of sinners. 
On him may they now rest, and when the declin- 
ing days of life shall come, may they go down with 
peace to the grave, and be for ever with the Lord ! 
Amen. 



212 DYING EXPERIENCE. 



CHAPTEE X. 

DYING EXPERIENCE. 

Death, considered in any light, is a very solemn 
and awful scene ; but it is peculiarly so as it respects 
the wicked ; such are said to be driven away in their 
wickedness. They do not descend willingly to the 
grave. They would be happy always to exist in the 
present state ; they possess no regard for a Superior 
Being, and therefore a future state of heavenly feli- 
city makes little or no impression on their minds. 
All their happiness is confined to the present world ; 
they are therefore driven, or, as it is said, " chased 
out of the world." Job xviii. 18. And what is still 
worse, they are driven away not only in a hopeless 
but a sinful state. Who can contemplate the sad 
scene without horror ? who can bear to witness it 
without feelings of a nature inexpressible? How 
awful to behold in his very countenance everything 
that indicates guilt and misery ; to hear his groans 
and prayers, that his wretched life may be protract- 
ed yet a little longer ; to witness his whole frame 
convulsed, his features changing, his lips quivering, 
his mind overwhelmed with despair ! Ah ! 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 213 

"How shocking must thy summons be, Death! 
To him that is at ease in his possessions ; 
"Who, counting on long years of pleasure here, 
Is quite unfurnished for the world to come ! 

In that dread moment, how the frantic soul 
Raves round the wall of her clay tenement, 
Runs to each avenue, and shrieks for help, 
Rut shrieks in vain ! How wishfully she looks 
On all she's leaving, now no longer hers ! 
A little longer — yet a little longer : — 

Mournful sight ! 
Her eyes weep blood, and every groan 
She heaves is big with horror. But the foe, 
Like a staunch murderer, steady to his purpose, 
Pursues her close through every lane of life, 
Nor misses once the track ; but presses on, 
Till, forced at last to the tremendous verge, 
At once she sinks to everlasting ruin !" 

Blaik. 

But what a different scene do we behold in the 
death of the righteous character! "Mark the per- 
fect man, and behold the upright, for the end of 
that man is peace." Ps. xxxvii. 37. Death has no 
terrors to him — his sins are pardoned ; his guilt is 
removed. No bitter reflections on his past conduct. 
No anxiety to return and prolong his existence in 
the present world. No fearful looking for of the 
day of wrath and punishment. Not that the righte- 
ous all depart with the same feelings. The joys of 
some are not so high as others; yea, some expire 
with but a small degree of confidence and joy : but 
this is not the case in general. Few but can say, 



214 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

when the moment actually arrives, " death, where 
is thy sting? grave, where, is thy victory?" 
1 Cor. xv. 54. 

Indeed, from the great felicity many good men 
enjoy at death, it seems, as a good writer observes, 
" as if the weakness of the bodily frame gave occa- 
sion to the awakening of some faculty, till then 
dormant in the soul, by which invisibles are not only 
believed but seen, and unutterables are heard and 
understood." In order, however, that we may see 
how peculiarly welcome it is to the righteous, let us 
consider the scriptural account of it. 

It is called a departure. " The time of my depart- 
ure is at hand." 2 Tim. iv. 7. " Having a desire 
to depart, and to be with Christ." Phil. i. 23. He 
is not violently torn or driven away in a storm, as 
the wicked, but he departs as one that is set at 
liberty from his chains. The present world is a 
state of confinement, when compared to the heavenly 
world ; the soul is here lodged in the body as in a 
contracted prison. Her powers- are cramped, her 
exertions are fettered, her prospects are bounded. 
But death unlocks the gate, destroys the chains, and 
says to the prisoner, go forth, enjoy your liberty; 
depart to yonder celestial mansion. What an idea 
does this give us of the happiness of a believer at 
the hour of death ! Here, alas ! the chain confines 
and galls. We feel the sad effects of being immured 
in a prison where dwells so much darkness and 
depravity. Fain would the soul leap out and fly ; 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 215 

but what powerful hindrances, what sad restraints ! 
When death, however, arrives, liberty is proclaimed, 
and a departure is announced to a land where we 
shall no more be reduced to captivity; where no 
enemy will oppose, no chain be worn, for ever. 

When good men die, they depart as travellers to 
a better country, or as from an inn to their home. 
That is truly a happy land where knowledge is dif- 
fused, peace enjoyed, sociality indulged, health pro- 
moted, property secured, and persons protected. 
Such a country is heaven, and to depart for such 
a state must be pleasant and delightful. This, too, 
is his home : he is not going to a place where he will 
be a stranger, where it will be uncertain whether he 
shall be received. It is the kingdom of his Father, 
where everything is provided for his happiness. It 
is to his own inheritance, purchased and bestowed 
on him as a free gift by Jesus, his elder hrother. 
Who, then, feels distress, who laments, who can be 
unhappy, at the thought of a departure from a tem- 
porary accommodation, where the storm is so often 
felt, to that glorious state where majesty and 
splendor indeed dwell, but where love and joy for 
ever reign ? 

The departure of a believer is the departure of 
the mariner from a distant country to- his desired 
haven. He quits the shores of time to launch into 
eternity. He has been at a distance from his own 
land, but how willingly he leaves all to meet his 
happy connections, to breathe his native air, to taste 



216 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

the fruit of that delightful soil where all is fertile 
and rich; and, 0, pleasing thought! to return no 
more, but for ever to be secured from the wasting 
storm, and the dangerous rocks of this evil world ! 

Death, to a good man, is called a dissolving of 
the body. " For we know (saith the apostle) that 
if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved 
we have a building of God; an house not made 
with hands, eternal in the heavens." 2 Cor. v. 1. 
He considers it only as the taking down of the 
human frame, to be built on a diviner plan. He 
does not approach the grave as the infidel or the 
sceptic, uncertain what will become of him ; whether 
his body shall mingle with the dust, or whether it 
will be raised again. He believes every atom will 
be preserved, and, though scattered in a thousand 
directions, that all shall be collected by the great 
power of Him who first created him. He has no 
melancholy ideas of annihilation ; he wavers not in 
dark uncertainty, now hoping, then fearing; now 
trembling, then presuming ; now wishing, then 
sinking again into the dark gloom of uncertainty. 
No ; these are not the views, the feelings, the scenes 
attendant on the dying bed of the righteous. He 
justly considers his body as a tabernacle, a tem- 
porary building, that must be taken down at the 
will of the Creator. He submits to its dissolution. 
He sees one pin taken out, then another ; this part 
falling, that decayiug: but all this he beholds with- 
out dismay. He knows there is a building of God 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 217 

eternal in the heavens, and cherishes the sweet hope 
of body and soul being again -united, to part no 
more. 

Further ; the death of the righteous is compared to 
rest. " He shall enter into peace ; they shall rest in 
their beds." Isa. lvii. 2. Blessed are the dead who 
die in the Lord ; they shall rest from their labors, 
and their works do follow them. Kev. xiv. 13. 
There the wicked cease from troubling ; there the 
weary be at rest. Job iii. 17. With what pleasure 
must a good man contemplate the hour when he is 
called to put off the armor, to lay aside the buck- 
ler, the shield, and the helmet for ever ! Here the 
conflict is often both long and painful. Every step 
is contested. His heart at times sinks within him 
for fear. He feels his weakness, and trembles lest 
he should be suffered to desert the great Captain of 
his salvation. But when death arrives, with what 
joy is he inspired at the thought of being no more 
exposed to danger ! Now, says he, I have done ; 
the battle is oyer, the victory is won. No more 
shall I feel the fiery darts of Satan ; no more shall I 
be subject to the attacks of an evil world; no more 
be deceived by a depraved heart. I shall now 
sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the 
kingdom of heaven. 

Again ; the .death of the righteous is represented 
in the sacred Scriptures under the idea of sleep. " I 
would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, con- 
cerning them which are asleep ; that ye sorrow not 
10 



218 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

even as others which have no hope. For if we be- 
lieve that Jesus died and rose again, even so them 
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with nim." 
Thess. iv. 13, 14. So of Stephen it is said, notwith- 
standing he was stoned to death, that he fell asleep. 
Acts vii. 60. What a pleasing idea does this afford 
us of the death of a believer ! Who, after labor and 
conflict, danger and toil, trouble and opposition, 
fears sleep? What more desirable? what more re- 
freshing ? How it strengthens the body, how it re- 
lieves the mind ! Thus a good man lies down, and 
forgets all his toils. Now his sorrows, his pains, ter- 
minate for ever. Now the troubles of the day are 
done with. Now the conflict ceases, no more to re- 
turn. Let it be remembered, too, that it is not in the 
house of an enemy, a place of danger, where he re- 
poses. He a sleeps in Jesus," saith the apostle. 
Happy situation! lovely security! Where can an 
immortal spirit rest better ? Blessed Eedeemer ! 
who can be afraid of falling into thine arms ? Who 
fears to sleep under thy protection ? If death be no 
more than this, then happy are thy servants when 
called away from this vale of tears. If this be the 
privilege peculiar to thine then, Lord, let me die 
the death of the righteous, and let my last end be 
like his. 

To confirm the ideas above suggested relative to 
the dying experience of the righteous, let us now 
advert to some few examples in which we shall see 
these remarks exemplified. Behold the patriarch 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 219 

Jacob drawing near to the gates of death. "With 
what composure he exclaims, " I die, but God shall 
be with you. I have waited for thy salvation, 
Lord!" His sons gather round him; he blesses 
them. He talks of death without fear ; he beholds 
its approach without alarm. He willingly resigns 
his spirit, gathers up his feet into the bed, and ex- 
pires. Gen. xlix. 33. 

Behold Moses, in his latter end, triumphing in 
God, and bearing a noble testimony to his provi- 
dence and grace. " Give ear, ye heavens, and I 
will speak ; and hear, earth, the words of my 
moiith. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my 
speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon 
the tender herb, as the showers upon the grass. Be- 
cause I will publish the name of the Lord, ascribe 
ye greatness unto our God. He is the rock ; his 
work is perfect, for all his ways are judgment. A 
God of truth, and without iniquity: just and right 
is he." Deut. xxxii. 1, etc. To die with a mind im- 
pressed with such noble sentiments as these is to die 
happy. 

See a Joshua. How calmly he speaks of his own 
death ! but with what energy he dwells on the good 
providence of God to him and the people ! " Be- 
hold, this day I am going the way of all the earth, 
and ye know in all your hearts ; and in all your 
souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good 
things which the Lord your God spake concerning 
you: all are come to pass unto you, and not one 



220 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

thing hath failed thereof." Joshua xxiii. 14. Glo- 
rious testimony of a dying saint ! 

Witness a, David. " Although my house be not 
so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlast- 
ing covenant, ordered in all things, and sure; for 
this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although 
he make it not to grow." 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. His 
views of death we may easily collect from his own 
words. "Yea, though I walk through the valley 
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil ; for thou 
art with me ; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort 
me." Ps. xxiii. 4. As. if he had said, "It is death, 
indeed, that is before me; but it is but the shadow 
of death ; there is no substantial evil in it : the sha- 
dow of a serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of a 
sword kill. It is the valley of the shadow ; deep, in- 
deed, and dark ; but the valleys are fruitful, and so 
is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people. 
It is but a walk in this valley — a gentle, pleasant 
walk. The wicked are chased out of the world, 
and their souls are required; but the saints take 
a walk to another world as cheerfully as they take 
their leave of this. It is a walk through it ; I shall 
not be lost in the valley, but arrive safe at my 
desired abode." (See Henry on Ps. xxiii. 4.) 

Behold a Simeon. He had long been waiting for 
the consolation of Israel. , At last he appears. The 
good old man takes the babe in his arms, and with 
ecstasy prays, " Lord, now lettest thou thy servant 
depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 221 

eyes have seen thy salvation." Luke ii. 28, SO. 
Life to him was no longer desirable, and death ap- 
peared as a welcome messenger, now he had been 
favored with the presence of the Saviour. 

Nothing can exceed the h<*ly joy and triumphant 
language of the great apostle Paul, in the view of 
death and an eternal world. " I know whom I have 
believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep 
that, which I have committed unto him against that 
day. I am ready, not to be bound only, but also to 
die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. I 
am now ready to be offered, and the time of my 
departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I 
have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of right- 
eousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall 
give me at that day ; and not to me only, but unto 
all them that love his appearing." 2 Tim. i. 12, 
Acts xxi. 13, 2 Tim. iv. 6, 7, 8. Happy apostle ! how 
little terrific must death have been in thy view, and 
how unimportant the passing scenes of this world, 
when compared with the glorious objects of that to 
come ! 

Behold a Peter. " I think it meet, as long as I am 
in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in 
remembrance. Knowing that shortly I must put off 
this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ 
hath showed me." 2 Pet. i. 14, 15. Death appeared 
no more to him than putting off his raiment, and 
lying down to rest. He knew he had not followed 



222 DYING EXPEKIENCE. 

a cunningly devised fable, but that, after death, there 
was an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that 
fadeth not away, to be enjoyed by him, and all that 
love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. 

Such was the hope, such the prospect, of these 
illustrious characters. And to them what a long list 
might be added of primitive Christians, of martyrs, 
of noble confessors, who died in the faith ; who 
indeed considered themselves as strangers and .pil- 
grims here ; who desired, and at last enjoyed, a better 
country ! 

But lest any should imagine that such happy 
experience belonged only to those characters whom 
God raised up in early times for arduous and import- 
ant work, and, being inspired of God, naturally en- 
joyed more than others when living, and was more 
supported in their dying moments, let us come down 
to later times, and we shall find that the same grace 
was exemplified in the solemn hour of dissolution. 

Mr. Halyburton, when dying, thus addressed those 
around him: "Here is a demonstration of the reality 
and power of faith and godliness. I, a poor, weak 
and timorous man, once as much afraid of death 
as any one; I, who was many years under terrors of 
death, come, in the mercy of God, and by the power 
of his grace, composedly and with joy to look death 
in the face. I have seen it in its paleness, and all 
the circumstances of horror that attend it. I dare 
look it in the face in its most ghastly shape, and 
hope to have, in a little time, the victory over it. 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 223 

Glory, glory to him ! 0, what of God do I see ! I 
have never seen anything like it ! The beginning 
and end of religion are wonderfully sweet ! I long 
for his salvation, I bless his name! I have found 
him ! I am taken up in blessing him ! I am dying, 
rejoicing in the Lord ! 0, I could not have be- 
lieved that I should bear, and bear cheerfully as I 
have done, this rod, which hath lain on me so long. 
This is a miracle. Pain without pain! You see a 
man dying a monument of the glorious power of as- 
tonishing grace !" Some time after, he said, " When 
I shall be so weakened as not to be able to speak, I 
will give you, if I can, a sign of triumph when I am 
near to glory." This he did; for when one said, " I 
hope you are encouraging yourself in the Lord ;<" 
not being able to speak, he lifted up his hands, 
clapped them, and quickly after expired. 

When Mr. Henry was dying, he said to a friend, 
" You have been used to take notice of the sayings 
of dying men ; this is mine : That a life spent in 
the service of God, and communion with him, is the 
most comfortable and pleasant life that any one can 
live in this world.' ' 

Dr. Evans, in his last moments, said, "All is well. 
All is well." 

Dr. Watts said, " I bless God, I can lie down with 
comfort at night, unsolicitous whether I awake in 
this world or another." 

"I am full of confidence (said Dr. Doddridge); 
there is a hope set before me : I have fled, I still fly 



224 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

for refuge to that hope. In him I trust. In him 
I have strong consolation, and shall assuredly be 
accepted in the beloved of my soul." 

"Do not think (said Mr. Hervey) that I am afraid 
to die ! I assure you I am not. I know what my 
Saviour hath done for me ; and I want to be gone. 
But I wonder and lament to think of the love of 
Christ in doing so much for me, and how little I 
have done for him." A little before his death, he 
said, "The great conflict is over ! Now all is done!" 

Dr. Grill said, " I have nothing to make me uneasy." 
And his last words were, " my Father ! my 
Father." 

" It will not be long (says Mr. Toplady) before 
God takes me ; for no mortal man can live (burst- 
ing into tears) after the glories which God has mani- 
fested to my soul." 

Mr. Eyland cried out, "Happy, happy, happy! 
O, what ease of body ! 0, what ease of soul !" 

Mr. Brewer said, " 0, what a world am I going to ! 
Here all is sin, and all is sorrow, but there, everlast- 
ing joy. Jesus is standing to receive my spirit. 
My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the 
strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." 

These are testimonies from public characters ; but 
what multitudes of private Christians have expe- 
rienced the same support ! " You will excuse my 
saying much," said a good man whom I visited in a 
dying hour, "but I declare before God, he is my de- 
light, he is my all. It is done : rejoice with me. It 



DYING- EXPERIENCE. 225 

is done. This left arm is dead ; but I am not 
alarmed ; I am not alarmed. I am no more afraid 
of death than an infant just come into the world. I 
have no doubt but my name is written in the book 
of life. Hasten it, Lord. Cut short thy work, if it 
be according to thy will. Tell others, when I can 
not — not that I want to have my name on a pillar, 
but for the good of others. Praise ! Praise ! 
Praise ! 

It would be easy to enlarge this list ; but the 
reader may consult the obituary in our religious and 
periodical publications for pleasing accounts of this 
kind. We shall only just stop to ask, whether the 
death-beds of infidels and the profane can produce 
anything like this? Instances, indeed, of apathy 
and awful unconcern are numerous ; but is it not to 
the sacred religion of Jesus that we are indebted for 
the bright scenes, the manly fortitude, the holy joys 
we often witness in a dying hour ? 

But it is natural for us to inquire into the causes 
of such a happy experience. What prospect is there 
afforded by Christianity that makes death so wel- 
come ? What real grounds have Christians for re- 
joicing in this hour? And, first, we observe, it is a 
matter of the highest joy that they are leaving a 
world where there is so much depravity, for a world 
where ail is perfection and holiness. Of all the 
sources of grief to a good man, none is equal to that 
of sin. It is this which often breaks his peace, inter- 
rupts him in duty, and is a barrier to his intercourse 
10* 



226 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

with. God. Wherever he goes, in whatever situation 
he is fixed, or whatever changes take place as to 
other things, his imperfect and sinful nature still 
remains. He can not divest himself of this; and 
what is still more painful, his corruptions break out 
again, after, perhaps, he thought they were nearly 
subdued. Death, therefore, becomes very desirable 
to terminate a conflict which is so distressing. To 
get rid of an enemy which is always assaulting us 
must be no small joy. The thought of sinning no 
more is delightful to a good man. If he could live 
in the present state but for a year, a month, a day, 
an hour, without sin, it would be his highest joy. 
With what willingness, then, can he meet death, 
which will remove him from every occasion of sin ; 
which will deliver him from every temptation, every 
corruption, and introduce him to a w r orld where 
holiness and happiness perpetually dwell ! 

Again; the Christian rejoices at the thought of 
death, because he leaves all his troubles. A wicked 
man may well tremble at death, because it is com- 
paratively the beginning of his sorrows; but the 
righteous, on the contrary, may rejoice, as it is the 
beginning of his joys. It is true, that even in the 
present state his happiness has sometimes been 
great; but permanent joy is reserved for another 
world. With what pleasure may he look forward 
and say, u Soon I shall have done with all the trou- 
bles of life. No more doubts and fears. No dark 
and cloudy days. No more weary steps and painful 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 227 

conflicts. Here how sudden, how numerous the 
vicissitudes of life ! One difficulty succeeds another. 
No dependence to be placed on earthly good. The 
best frames soon change, and the greatest trials 
attend the greatest comforts. But a little while, and 
I shall be delivered from all. There is a glory to 
be revealed. God will wipe away all tears from 
mine eyes, and there shall be no more curse, no 
more death ; neither sorrow nor crying ; neither 
shall there be any more pain ; the- days of my 
mourning shall be ended, and my God shall be my 
glory for ever and ever." Eev. xxii. 4, 5. 

But is not death in itself awful and terrific? And 
are not believers men of the same feelings, the same 
fears as others ? Truly so, as it respects themselves ; 
but the terror of death is in a great degree removed, 
as they have the promise of a safe guide through the 
dark valley. Angels are sent forth to minister to 
them who are the heirs of salvation. " These encamp 
about them in the time of their life, and surely they 
will not leave them in the day of their death." But 
the Lord of angels has promised to be with them in 
that trying moment. U I will never leave thee," is 
the kind declaration made to every saint. He who 
does not leave them in their common troubles, will 
not leave them now, when everything around them 
is incapable of affording them support With what 
composure, therefore, may they leave themselves in 
his hands, and trust to his goodness and power to 
bring them safe through ! Yes, Christian, you may 
say, without presumption, with the poet: 



228 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

" Though I walk through the gloomy vale, 
Where death and all its terrors are, 
My heart and hope shall never fail, 
For God my Shepherd 's with me there." 

"Watts. 

Besides, they are going home to their best Friend. 
The child is not afraid of being sent for from school 
to his parents ; and death is but God's servant, which 
he sends to invite his children home. No wonder 
the Christian rejoices at the thought of going where 
his Father dwells, where his brethren are, and where 
he shall enjoy perfect liberty, holy familiarity, and 
endless pleasure. " In my Father's house are many 
mansions (says our Lord) ; if it were not so, I would 
have told you ; I go to prepare a place for you ; and 
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come 
again, and receive you unto myself, that where I 
am there ye may be also." John xiv. 2, 3. With a 
firm belief in these delightful declarations, with what 
joy can a Christian leave the world, especially when 
he considers that he is not merely to be admitted but 
received to glory ; received with the acclamations of 
the heavenly hosts ; received by Christ with the 
highest joy and the strongest love ; received into the 
presence of Him whose favor constitutes the glory 
and happiness of the celestial world. 

But what, above all, affords a ground of rejoicing 
is, that the felicity of the heavenly kingdom is never 
to end. " The Lord himself shall descend from 
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 229 

and with the trump of God ; and the dead in Christ 
shall rise first. Then we which are alive and re- 
main shall be caught up together with them in the 
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air ; and so shall ice 
ever he with the Lord" 1 Thess. iv. 16, 17. There 
shall be no night there, and they need no candle, 
neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth 
them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. 
Eev. xxii. 5. What delightful prospects do these 
Scriptures afford us of a future state ! Here we are 
sometimes interrupted in the midst of our joys by 
the recollection that they are so short-lived. A suc- 
cession of hopes and fears, of pains and pleasures, 
attend us in this mortal state. However calm the 
present moment, we must prepare for the storm. 
However happy, we must remember we are still in 
the wilderness, subject to innumerable changes and 
perpetual trials ; but how consoling for the Christian 
to reflect that he is travelling to a better country, 
whence he shall not return, where he shall go no 
more out ! What terrors then can death have for the 
man whose hopes centre in that glory which shall 
never fade ? What happiness in the thought, that 
every moment brings him nearer to that bright abode 
where he shall for ever enjoy the divine presence! 
An eternity of happiness ! How little must every- 
thing appear in this world, when contrasted with 
this ! How insignificant all the trials of the way, 
when we consider the felicity of the end ! How 
welcome death to introduce us to the grand scene ! 



230 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

How bright the Christian appears as he draws nearer 
to it ! What a majesty in his death ! "What a glory 
in his hope ! " As the rivers roll the smoothest the 
nearer they approach the ocean, as the rose smells 
the sweetest when dying, as the sun appears most 
glorious when setting, so it is with the Christian." 
Hear his expiring language ! Farewell all terrestrial 
scenes ! I know that my Eedeemer liveth. What 
a happy change ! Earth for heaven, time for eter- 
nity, conflict for victory, sorrow for uninterrupted 
joy! Into thy hands, O immortal Saviour, I com- 
mit my spirit. Thine it is to conduct me through 
the valley ; thine to raise to glory ; and thine to 
crown me with eternal joy. Come, Lord Jesus, 
come quickly. Even so come, Lord Jesus ! Amen. 
Thus we see what grounds the Christian has for 
rejoicing at the thought of dissolution. It may be 
objected, that however good these grounds, yet 
many even of the righteous die without any remark- 
able sensation of joy; yea, some die in darkness and 
fear, others die suddenly, without leaving a verbal 
testimony. This certainly must be granted. But 
let not the weak Christian be discouraged on this ac- 
count. Some, it is true, are said to be saved so as by 
fire ; and some are saved who have remained in a 
doubting state almost to the last ; but I believe these 
will be found to be but few compared with the gen- 
erality. God has, indeed, suffered some of his most 
useful and most eminent servants to depart without 
any great evidences of triumph and joy, but this is 



V^ . DYING EXPERIENCE. 231 

wisely permitted, for were such, always to die in 
triumph, then the weak and fearful would be ready 
to despond, and imagine, perhaps, that they were 
not thef objects of divine love, because they are not 
favored with high joys in that trying hour. It 
is also good to remember that our frames do no af- 
fect our state. The salvation of the soul may be 
secure ; but the joys of that salvation may, for wise 
reasons, be suspended. We may die safe, though 
we may not die happy. There are many things that 
may press hard on the mind even of a good man at 
that season. The thoughts of his family, separation 
from dear and intimate friends, the recollection of 
besetting sins, spiritual sloth and decay, the awful- 
ness of eternity, the pains of death, natural timidity ; 
some or all of these may affect the mind to a great 
degree ; but, notwithstanding, I believe it is gener- 
ally found that believers are wonderfully supported 
in the hour of death. In the course of my ministry, 
and the visits I have paid to dying beds for several 
years, I have found but few who were truly serious, 
but what, if they had not all a high degree of joy, 
yet were resigned to the will of God, bearing testi- 
mony to his goodness, in fulfilling his word, and 
being with them even to the end. It is, however, 
at all times, a different scene from the death of the 
wicked. They die trembling in* an awful suspense 
and dark uncertainty, or presuming that all will be 
well, while their hearts are still hardened in sin ; but 
the righteous depart in peace, and often in triumph 



232 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

and ecstacy, with a hope full of immortality and 

joy! 

And now, my dear reader, do you wish to die 
comfortably? Then live circumspectly. Not that 
this can merit heaven; but a worldly, careless, luke- 
warm spirit is not a proper frame to die in. " Let it 
be your constant care," says Mr. Boston, ". to keep a 
clean conscience, a conscience void of offense toward 
God and man. Acts xxiv. 16. Beware of a stand- 
ing controversy betwixt Grod and you, on account 
of some iniquity regarded" in the heart. When an 
honest man is about to leave his country, and not to 
return, he settles accounts with those he had deal- 
ings with, and lays down methods for paying his 
debts in time, lest he be reckoned a bankrupt, and 
be attacked by an officer when he is going'off. Guilt 
lying on the conscience is a fountain of fears, and 
will sting severely when death stares the criminal in 
the face. Hence it is that many of God's children, 
when dying, are made to w^ish passionately and de- 
sire eagerly that they may live to do what they 
ought to have done before that time. Wherefore, 
walk closely with God, be diligent, strict and exact, 
in your course ; beware of a loose, careless, and 
irregular conversation, as ye would not lay up for 
yourselves anguish and bitterness of spirit in a dying 
hour. And because, through the infirmity cleaving 
to us in our present state of imperfection, in many 
things we offend all, renew your repentance daily, 
and be ever washing in the Eedeemer's blood. As 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 233 

long as ye are in the world, ye will need to wash, 
your feet, (John xiii. 10,) that is, to make application 
to the blood of Christ anew, for' purging your con- 
sciences from the guilt of daily miscarriages. Let 
death find you at the fountain, and, if so, it will find 
you ready to answer its call." 

Believer, wait patiently. " All the days of my 
appointed time," says Job, " will I wait till my 
change come. Job xiv. 14. Stand at your post till 
Grod calls you ; for " it is good that a man should 
both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the 
Lord." Lam. iii. 26. A few more storms, a few 
more dark and cloudy days, and you shall enjoy the 
rest that remaineth for the people of Grod. It is but 
a little while, and you shall lay aside the helmet for 
the crown, the garments in which you sustain the 
conflict for the white robe, and the sword for the 
palms of victory ! The enemy shall no more be 
seen ; for the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and 
come to Zion with songs and everlasting joys upon 
their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness, and 
sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Is. xxxv. 10. 

While, however, you exercise patience, tuatch con- 
stantly. Be like unto men that wait for their lord, 
that, when he cometh-and knocketh, you may open 
to him immediately. Luke xxi. 36. Eemember 
you are still in an enemy's land, and that no past ex- 
perience, no long standing in the church, no exemp- 
tions which you have hitherto had from public falls, 
can insure you in time to come without divine grace. 



234 DYING EXPERIENCE. 

Many have carried it well till nearly the last, when 
one unguarded moment, one imprudent step, has 
been the occasion of much grief, and caused them to 
descend to the grave in sorrow. Watch, therefore, 
to the end. The enemy, perhaps, will be more art- 
ful more violent, more anxious to injure you, in pro- 
portion as you draw nearer to your home, where he 
knows you will be beyond his reach. Sit loose to 
the world. Eemember you are a pilgrim, and there- 
fore you are not to be only looking, but going for- 
ward. Watch against everything which would de- 
tain you by the way. Take leave of all sublunary 
objects, and thus, forgetting the things that are be- 
hind, press forward towards the mark for the prize 
of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Phil. iii. 14. 

And now, reader, let me ask ; have you reason to 
believe that you are travelling to this better coun- 
try ? No doubt you wish to die happy ; but re- 
member this can not be the case while sin is unre- 
pented of. The life of a wicked man is often a life 
of gaiety, thoughtlessness, and presumption ; but his 
death is an awful scene of horror and misery. No 
light from heaven irradiates his dying moments. It 
is all thick darkness, for there is no peace, saith my 
God, to the wicked. To die in poverty, without 
friends, without attendants, all solitary, without any 
kind aid to wipe off the cold sweat that bedews the 
face, without any affectionate help to alleviate pain, 
or sympathize with misery, is considered as a griev- 
ous and deplorable state ; but, alas ! what is this ? 



DYING EXPERIENCE. 235 

This is of but little consequence, when compared to 
the state of him who dies without God, without an 
interest in him who alone is able to save. Header, 
examine thine own heart Remember how short thy 
time is. A little longer, and thy body will be in the 
grave, and the soul — where shall I say? In hea- 
ven ? No, if thou diest without repentance ! On 
earth ? No. But in the dark abodes of eternal de- 
spair. For the wicked shall be turned into hell, and 
all the nations that forget God. Ps. ix. 17. Arise, 
therefore ; cry for mercy ! The door is not shut. 
Now is the day of salvation ! Flee to the refuge set 
before thee. Behold a Saviour ! He is willing to 
receive, willing to pardon, willing to bless. Believe 
in him, and thou shalt be saved; but if thou reject 
him, thou art undone for ever ! 



236 ADVICE KESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 



CHAPTER XI. 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 



Religion, like everything else that is valuable, 
has its counterfeit. There are errors nearly resem- 
bling the truth, doctrines that are apparently deduced 
from the sacred Scriptures, but which are in reality 
the doctrines of devils ; precepts which some would 
have us believe to be of God, but which, in fact, 
are only the inventions of men. So likewise there 
may be an experience, so called, which pretends to 
be of a divine and gracious kind, but which, when 
properly investigated, will be found to savor not 
of Grod, but of corrupt nature. It is, then, of 
importance that we examine ourselves, lest we 
should be deceived; and " that we should see the 
difference between the holy and the profane, and 
discern between the unclean and the clean." Ezek. 
xliv. 23. We ,are commanded, also, to prove all 
things, and to hold fast that which is good. 1 Thess. 
v. 24. It is my intention, therefore, in this chapter, 
to give some advice respecting this important sub- 
ject ; premising, however, that nothing is intended 
to discourage the weak, or reflect upon the ignorant, 
but rather to expose the hypocrite, and detect the 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 237 

enthusiast, whose conduct and spirit so often grieve 
and injure the minds of the truly serious. 

First Advice : Endeavor to distinguish between coun- 
terfeit and genuine experience. A false experience 
may arise from several causes. Some have sub- 
stituted the reveries of their own imagination for 
gracious experience. They have talked of extra- 
ordinary impressions and revelations ; they have 
imagined, because they have comfortable frames, 
that their sins were pardoned, and have been confi- 
dent they should go to heaven, while at the same 
time there has been little or no proof of their ever 
having been made new creatures in Christ Jesus. 
We know, also, how busy Satan is in deceiving 
mankind. By his insinuations he can make men 
believe that they are real Christians, when they are 
not. He can make presumption appear as strong 
faith, forwardness as zeal, or the fear of man as pru- 
dence. He cares not for men making a profession, 
attending a place of worship, or even confessing 
their sins, as long as they do not forsake them. 
They may talk of religion, believe in some of its 
doctrines, and attend to the performance of some 
duties, and yet be strangers to a vital change. Yea, 
this great enemy may puff them up with an idea of 
extensive knowledge, and such an experience which 
is beyond every other person's, so that they may 
imagine they stand high in the church ; when, alas ! 
their minds have never been savingly enlightened 
in the knowledge of divine things. 



238 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

Mere natural impressions may sometimes be taken 
for the work of the Spirit of God. Sublime de- 
scriptions, awful denunciations, delightful represent- 
ations of the heavenly world, the tone of the voice, 
the powers of eloquence, may greatly affect the 
mind, and cause people to imagine that they are 
actually converted, when their own conduct testifies 
to the contrary. Thus it is said that Ezekiel " was 
unto the people as a very lovely song of one that 
hath a pleasant voice, and could play well on an 
instrument: they heard his words, but they did 
them not." Ezek. xxxiii. 32. And it is to be 
feared there are too manv who have their favorite 
ministers, their particular places, on this account. 
There is something pleasing or striking in the 
manner of the preacher, something agreeable in the 
place or the people, that attaches them; and, thus 
pleased, they are too apt to suppose all is well, 
while these very people can not, with any degree of 
propriety, render a reason of the hope that is in 
them. 

There have been many, also, who have made pre- 
tenses to extraordinary communications with the 
Deity ; prophets and prophetesses, who, according to 
their own account, have dreamed dreams, seen 
visions, heard voices, and pretend to predict future 
events, as if inspired of God for that purpose. They 
have set themselves up as oracles, as the peculiar 
favorites of heaven ; while, alas ! nothing has been 
more clearly proved than that they were deceived 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 239 

by their own imaginations, or carried away by 
vanity or self-conceit. Some people, not, indeed, so 
infatuated as these, have talked of great spiritual 
discoveries : they have had lively ideas of the form 
of Christ's person ; have heard, or thought they have 
heard, him speaking to them; have had singular 
dreams, by which they have been imprudently 
guided, and yet boasted that they were under divine 
direction. 

Some good people, also, have been deceived. A 
weak temperament of body, nervous disorders, and 
a strong fancy, have led them to imagine strange 
things. Sometimes, when depressed in spirit, they 
have been ready to think God was about to leave 
tKem; or, when circumstances have transpired dif- 
ferent to what they expected, then they thought 
that Providence was fighting against them. So, on 
the other hand, when their comfort has increased, 
and they have felt themselves stronger in body, and 
their * spirits better, then they have talked of the 
light of God's countenance being lifted upon them. 
Not but what there may be occasional joys and griefs, 
according as God is pleased to manifest or withdraw 
himself from his people. But I am confident that a 
great deal of what is called distressing experience, 
arises from a weak frame of body. If such would 
pay attention to their health, live less upon their 
frames, and more upon the promises, it would be 
abundantly better for them, both as to body and 
soul. 



240 AYDICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

Others have been guided too much, by impulses, 
or sudden thoughts darting into their minds, without 
properly examining the tendency, and without recol- 
lecting that Satan can inject Scripture, or that pas- 
sages may be brought to our recollection by the 
occasion of some circumstance or object remotely 
connected with it. This may or may not be of God ; 
and therefore extreme caution should be used. A 
supernatural influence, no doubt, is felt by all God's 
people ; but this influence does not in general impel 
us to do an action precipitately, or without thought. 

They, too, I think, act improperly, who open their 
Bibles to choose a text, and are determined to be 
guided according to the passage they shall first set 
their eyes on. Nothing can be more inconsistent. 
It may lead either to presumption or despair. The 
sense of Scripture can not be obtained in this man- 
ner, except it be a detached passage, which are very 
few, compared with the Bible at large. In this way, 
Scripture may be made to speak anything; and for 
people to talk of their experience, and of God's di- 
recting them, when they adopt such a practice as 
this, is really absurd, and can not but excite our 
pity for those who . are thus deluded. 

I have just hinted at these things, that we might 
see how men may be deceived as to religious expe- 
rience. And when we consider, as one observes, 
"that we can see but a little way into the depths of 
man's heart; that there are so many ways whereby 
persons may be affected without any supernatural 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 241 

Influence ; that the natural springs of the affections 
are so various and so secret ; that so many things 
have oftentimes a joint influence on the affections 
and the imaginations ;" it ought to make us examine 
ourselves, lest, after all, we should be only as the 
sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. " Indeed, the 
surprising concourse of affecting circumstances, the 
extraordinary coincidence of things in the course of 
our thoughts, the subtle management of invisible 
malicious spirits, are such, that nothing will be suffi- 
cient to guide us safely through this labyrinth and 
maze, without our closely following the clue given 
us in God's word." Let us proceed, then, to ask, 

In the first place, whether our experience accords 
with the will and word of God ? This is the true 
balance in which all must be weighed. Whatever 
is deficient here, however it comes recommended, 
however specious, however it resembles the expe- 
dience of the wise and good, must be rejected. 
The Bible is the only standard to which our experi- 
ence, as well as principles, must be brought. What- 
ever we feel, whatever impressions or views we have, 
if they are not countenanced by the Scripture, we 
may suspect that they are not the effects of the 
operations of the Spirit. It is a sad sign, therefore, 
when professors are guided by their own fancies, by 
the opinions of others, or merely by some impres- 
sions, rather than by the word of God; and still 
worse when they grow confident, have no doubts, 
but seem full of assurance and certainty about the 
11 



242 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

genuineness of their experience, while they neglect 
the rule, or are unwilling to be tried by it. Now, if 
our experience be genuine, if our views and feelings 
arise from a right source, we shall be willing to sub- 
mit to this test. We shall not use it partially. "We 
shall be fearful of being deceived. We shall pray 
to God to search us and try us. Here, then, we 
observe a difference between a deluded professor 
and a real Christian. One is guided by a rule of his 
own making, the other willingly submits to that 
which is made for him. One follows his own will 
and imagination ; the other is guided by the direc- 
tions and decisions of the holy Scriptures. 

Secondly : let us ask, Whether our experience 
tends to promote humility ? Professions of humility, 
indeed, may be common where there is none in real- 
ity. M There are many (says Mr. Edwards) that are 
full of expressions of their own vileness, who yet 
expect to be looked upon as eminent and bright 
saints by others, as their due ; and it is dangerous 
for any so much as to hint the contrary, or to carry 
it towards them any otherwise than as if we looked 
upon them as some of the chief of Christians. There 
are many that are crying out about their wicked 
hearts, and their great shortcomings and unprofit- 
ableness, and speaking as though they looked on 
themselves as the meanest of the saints, who yet, if 
a minister should seriously tell them the same things 
in private, and should signify that he feared they 
were very low and weak Christians, and thought 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 243 

they had reason solemnly to consider of their great 
barrenness and unprofitableness, and falling so much 
short of many others, it would be more than they 
would digest ; they would think themselves highly 
injured, and there would be a danger of a rooted 
prejudice in them against such a minister." But if 
our experience be of a right kind, we shall not seem 
to be humble only, but shall actually be so. Ob- 
serve what effects the discoveries and experience of 
the most eminent saints had on them. "I have 
heard of thee (says Job) by the hearing of the ear, 
but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore, I abhor 
myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job xlii. 
5, 6. " Behold (says the psalmist), I was sha/pen in 
iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." 
Ps. li. 5. " Surely (says Agur) I am more brutish 
than any man, and have not the understanding 
of a man." Prov. xxx. 2. And the great apostle 
Paul calls himself the chief of sinners. Eph. iii. 8, 
1 Tim. i. 15. 

Now, if what we feel or have discovered, if what 
we call our experience, tends to make us think 
highly of ourselves or to boast of our attainments, 
we may be assured this is not of Grod. There is 
much talk by many persons of deep experience ; but 
I know of no deep experience that is not deep in 
humility. Humility is highly spoken of in the 
Scriptures. It is the grand tendency of the whole 
system of divine revelation to humble man; and 
where there is no humility there is nothing of God, 



244 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

of sound experience, of true religion. Does our ex- 
perience, then, promote this in us? Are we more 
and more self-abased under .a view of the holiness 
of God, the spirituality of the law, the excellences 
of the Saviour, and the depravity of our hearts? 
Do we, the more we know, the more experience we 
have, the longer we live, think less of ourselves ? 
Are we lying in the dust, and, notwithstanding all 
our progress, still saying, God be merciful to me a 
sinner ? Are we so humbled as to be glad to be any- 
where, or be anything, for God? Do we remember 
our ways, and all our doings, and loathe ourselves 
in our own sight, for all the evils we have commit- 
ted? Bzek. xxxvi. 26, 27. Then, indeed, we have 
reason to believe that we are not deceived, that we 
are divinely taught ; for the sacrifices of God are a 
broken spirit ; a broken &nd a contrite heart he will 
not despise. Thus saith the Lord, the high and 
lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is 
Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place ; with him 
also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive 
the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of 
the contrite ones." Isa. lvii. 15, Ps. li. 17. 

Further : let us ask, Whether our experience 
teaches us to bear with others ? -To talk of happy 
communion with God, of enlargements of mind, and 
animation of soul in his service, of fresh discoveries 
of the perfections of God, of the extensive views we 
have of his word and providences, and yet to be 
contracted and bigoted as it respects others, is a 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 245 



strange thing. "The wisdom that 'is from above is 
first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be en- 
treated, full of mercy and good fruits, without par- 
tiality, and without hypocrisy." James iii. 17. What 
shall we say, then, of those who are perpetually rail- 
ing against others, and that because they do not 
happen to agree with them in every inferior circum- 
stance ? What can we think of the experience of 
those who are ready to exclude every body from the 
kingdom of heaven but those of their own party ? 
Can their experience of divine love be very great 
who take a pleasure in searching out and talking of 
the infirmities of others ? Let us not deceive our- 
selves ; if the spirit of malignity, envy, illiberality, 
opposition, predominate in us, however we may talk 
of our intercourse with heaven, we evidently mani- 
fest we are still of the earth. These are not the dis- 
positions of the Gospel ; "for the fruit of the Spirit 
is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, good- 
ness, faith, meekness, temperance : against such there 
is no law." Gal. v. 22, 23. The more communion 
we have with God, the more we shall pity the weak- 
ness, and bear with the infirmities, of his people. 
Eeader, if thou art a poor bigoted soul, speaking 
well of nothing but what is of thine own party, 
taking pleasure in puzzling the weak with unne- 
cessary and useless .subjects, and quarrelling about 
trifles, how dwelleth the love of God in thee? 
Where is that mildness, that quiet and peaceable 
behavior, that tenderness to others, that liberality 



246 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

of soul, which, characterize those whose experience 
is genuine, and whose hearts are right with God ? 
Surely, if we feci as we ought to do, we shall 
know something of that charity which suffereth 
long and is kind, which does not envy, nor vaunt 
itself; that is not puffed up; that doth not behave 
itself unseemly ; seeketh not her own, is not easily 
provoked, thinketh no evil ; that beareth all things, 
hopeth all things, and endureth all things. 1 Cor. 
xiii. 1, etc. 

Again: Does our experience excite us to be 
ardent in devotion, and constant in our attendance 
upon the ordinances of God ? There may, it is true, 
be an appearance of devotion, and a punctual attend- 
ance on public worship, where there is no experience 
of the power of religion. But then this is appearance 
only. There is no sincere motive. There is no 
real love to the ordinances. There is no correspond- 
ing fruit. Now, a good man experiences so much of 
his own helplessness, sees so much the necessity of 
divine assistance, that he highly esteems and gladly 
attends upon the ordinances of divine institution 
with the most sincere desire to have his mind more 
informed, his heart more deeply impressed, and his 
affections raised above all earthly things. There are 
some who talk much of their being taught of God, 
and of their having such revelations and experiences, 
as to have no occasion for the means. " We have 
(say they) an unction from the Holy One, and know 
all things. We need not that any man teach us. 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 247 

We have already obtained the blessing. It is within 
us." Ordinances, therefore, to them are considered 
as useless. Sabbaths are no more than other days. 
Prayer or petition is scarcely necessary. The house 
of God may or may not be attended. In a word, 
the supposed idea of their having Christ in them 
supersedes the use of means; and, imagining that 
the work is done, there is no occasion for any ordi- 
nances to perfect that which they think is already 
perfected, as far as it can be this side the grave. 
But how such can reconcile all those passages of 
Scripture which refer to progressive knowledge and 
sanctifigation by the use of means I am at a loss to 
determine. [See page 121.] We are commanded to 
pray, to exhort one another, to read his word, and to 
assemble ourselves together ; moreover, we have the 
promise of the Saviour that he will be in the midst 
of us, to bless us. Luke xviii. 1, Heb. iii. 13, Heb. 
x. 25, Matt, xviii. 20. We must, therefore, be suspi- 
cious of those views which would lead us to give up 
ordinances ; for, alas ! we make but little improve- 
ment and progress with them, and how much less 
should we make without them ! 

Again : Does our experience excite in us a lively 
concern for the good of others ? This certainly is 
one grand criterion of its genuineness. The religion 
of Jesus nowhere encourages absolute seclusion from 
society. We are called upon, indeed, to come out 
from the world : we must not imbibe its spirit, 
follow its pleasures, or be ruled by its sinful customs. 



248 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE, 

But then we are not to bury ourselves in perpetual 
solitude, as if we hated all mankind, and were deter- 
mined the j should have no benefit from our exist- 
ence. No ; the spirit of Christianity is the spirit of 
benevolence; it wishes well to mankind; it prays 
for their happiness, it exerts itself for their good. 
Who, then, is the insensible, inanimate being, whose 
heart is contracted ; who is destitute of every gener- 
ous feeling ; whose bosom never yet glowed with 
one benevolent wish ; who never dropt a tear over 
the miseries of his fellow-creatures, and who never 
yet made one exertion to alleviate their pain, or 
increase their happiness? ' Is it the Christian? Is 
it he who has felt the power of divine grace ? 
Impossible! He who has tasted that the Lord, is 
gracious, who is convinced of his own state, and the 
suitability of the Gospel as the only remedy — he 
who has been plucked as a brand from the burning, 
and is himself a monument of distinguishing grace, 
can not be unfeeling, can not be unconcerned about 
others. His heart meditates good. The benevo- 
lence of his soul sets all his powers at work to invent 
some method, or adopt some plan, for the relief, the 
instruction, the happiness of those around him. By 
this, then, let us try ourselves. If our experience 
makes us satisfied with ourselves ; if we can sit still 
from year to year without concern for others ; if our 
property, our talents, our time, are all laid out for 
our own interest alone; if Ave rest only in cold 
wishes, in common-place observations on the state 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 249 

of mankind ; if we are ready, to reproach those 
whose zeal shames our timidity ; . if we carelessly 
let slip opportunities of doing good which present 
themselves to us, and which may never return more, 
how can we call ourselves Christians ? Let us not 
N talk of our knowledge, our experience, our talents, 
our respectability, our membership of churches, 
while the world ^is falling down about us, and we 
sitting still in criminal inactivity. Cold heart ! un- 
feeling creature ! contracted soul ! Go to the inhos- 
pitable desert, dwell in the wilderness, hide thyself 
from the face of man, if thou art determined to be 
of no use to society ; but if thou professest to be a 
Christian, act in character. Look around ; behold 
the multitudes perishing on the shores of eternity [ 
What is thy knowledge if kept to thyself, while the 
world is in darkness ? What thy talents, if not 
used for the advantage of those who are yet in 
misery ? What thy experience, if it does not lead 
thee to commiserate the deplorable state of those 
who are still in the gall of bitterness and bonds of 
iniquity ? Arise, therefore ; shake off the slumbers 
of night. The sun of time is up, but will soon 
decline: work while it is day: for the night will 
soon come, when no man can work. 

Lastly, and above all, let us ask, Does our expe- 
rience lead to dependence on God, and obedience to 
him ? This is the best criterion. u Herein is love, 
that we keep his commandments. He that is born 

of God sinneth not. Everv man that hath this hope 
11* 



250 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

in him purifieth himself, even as lie is pure. The 
grace of God that bringeth salvation teaches us, 
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we 
should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this 
present world." 1 John v. 3. 1, John iii. 9, 1 John 
iii. 3, Titus ii. 10, 11. If we, then, are taught of 
God, there will be a prevailing love for, and an 
habitual-pursuit after holiness. Our religion will not 
be that of the hour, or of the day. It is not on any 
particular circumstance, or singularly trying occa- 
sion, that we shall be concerned. Many seem im- 
pressed for a season by alarming providences, search- 
ing discourses, or painful bereavements; but their 
convictions soon wear away, and they return again 
to the world and sensual enjoyments. But where 
our experience is genuine, where the work is begun, 
it will be carried on ; sin will be increasingly hate- 
ful, and holiness increasingly lovely, in our estima- 
tion. We shall not be intimidated by the threats nor 
allured by the smiles of the world. We shall cheer- 
fully bear the reproach of men, watch against the 
temptations of Satan, and steadfastly set our faces 
against sin, wherever we see it. The reason of this 
is evident, " because a gracious experience," says 
Mr. Edwards, " arises from operations and influences 
which are spiritual, from an inward principle which 
is divine, a communication of God, a participation 
of the divine nature : Christ living in the heart, the 
Holy Spirit dwelling there, in union with the facul- 
ties of the soul, as an internal vital principle, exert- 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 251 

ing his own proper nature in the exercise of those 
faculties. Now, it is no wonder that which is divine 
is powerful and effectual, for it has omnipotence on 
its side. If God dwell in the heart, and be vitally- 
united to it, he will show that he is a God by the 
efficacy of his operation. Christ is not in the heart 
of a saint as in a sepulchre, or as a dead Saviour, 
that does nothing : but as one that is in his temple, 
and as one that is alive from the dead. A statue 
may look very much like a real man, and a beauti- 
ful man ; yea, it may have, in its appearance to the 
eye, the resemblance of a very lively, strong, and 
active man; but yet an inward principle of life and 
strength is wanting, and, therefore, it does nothing : 
it brings nothing to pass : there is no action or ope- 
ration to answer the show. False discoveries and af- 
fections do not go deep enough to reach and govern 
the spring of men's actions and practice. The seed 
in stony ground had no deepness of earth, and the 
root did not. go deep enough to bring forth fruit. 
But gracious affections go to the very bottom of the 
heart, and take hold of the very inmost . springs of 
life and activity. Herein chiefly appears the powers 
of true godliness ; viz., in its being effectual in prac- 
tices. This power, indeed, is exerted in the first 
place within the soul, in the sensible, lively exercise 
of gracious affections there. Yet the principal evi- 
dence of this power of godliness is in those exercises 
of holy affections that are practical, and in their 
being practical; in conquering the will, and the 



252 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

lusts and corruptions of men, and carrying men on 
in the way of holiness, through all temptation, diffi- 
culty, and opposition." Here, then, let us examine 
ourselves. Whtft is the general bent of our will ? 
what is the prevailing habitual inclination of our 
hearts ? Do we regard iniquity in secret, and love 
to practice it when we have opportunity ? and are 
Ave hardened and careless when we have committed 
it, as if it were a light thing? If so, whatever are 
our raptures, however affected we may be under the 
word, however loquacious in our talk, or however 
extensive our knowledge or brilliant our talents, we 
have reason to think we are deceiving ourselves, 
and the truth is not in us. On the contrary, if our 
practice be holy and uniform ; if we are continually 
maintaining a conflict with sin ; if it be that which 
is more hateful to us than any other object ; if we 
choose suffering before sinning ; if we are breathing 
after the divine image, and aiming at his glory; 
then, although our knowledge may be but small, our 
hearts often depressed, our gifts but slender, and we 
are incapable of saying much before others, we have 
reason to conclude that we are not deceived. For, 
surely, if the Lord had meant to have destroyed us, 
he would not have shown us such things as these. 
But let us proceed now to a 

Second Advice : Learn not to abuse experience. 

Experience may be abused by boasting of it as 
extraordinary, by living and depending on it, by in- 
troducing it at improper times, and before improper 
uersons. 



AD.YIOE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 253 

First : We should not boast of our experience as 
always extraordinary. Doubtless there may be ex- 
periences which may be considered as singular, and 
out of the way ; and it is not for us to limit the 
Deity, or prescribe to him how he is to act as to his 
operations on the minds of his creatures. And such 
experience may, under the influence of prudence, 
be related to others as extraordinary. But to be 
always talking of ourselves, or of our experience as 
singular, as if none had felt as we have ; to assume 
to ourselves a degree of consequence on the account 
thereof, and almost to despise others because we 
think they have not experienced the same as our- 
selves, this is an abuse of experience. A little ac- 
quaintance with others will teach us, that our expe- 
rience is not so singular as we imagine ; and that 
we have no occasion to boast or talk as if we were 
the only individuals who have been led in a pecu- 
liar path. It savors, also, too much of pride to be 
continually dwelling on subjects relative to ourselves, 
as if we wanted others to admire us; for though a 
just relation of what Grod has done for us will be 
highly grateful and useful to others, yet, if we are 
not cautious, we shall justly incur the charge of 
egotism and vanity, and prove, at the same time, that 
our experience can not be very great. 

Again : it is an abuse of experience to live and 
depend on it. We may certainly derive consider- 
able advantage from the recollection of past expe- 
riences, and by using them as evidences of grace. 



254 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

It is pleasant to look back on the way which the 
Lord hath led us, and to remember the interpositions 
of his providence, the supplies of his grace, the an- 
swers he hath given to our prayers, and the deliver- 
ances he hath wrought in time of danger. But it is 
an abuse of experience, if we expect the Divine Being 
always to act exactly in the same way ; that he will 
answer our prayers just at such a time ; that he will 
give us the same degree of comfort. It is true, he 
has promised that he will never leave nor forsake 
his people ; but in what way he may be pleased to 
work for us, whether instantaneously or gradually, 
whether by the same instruments or others, we must 
leave to him. Our dependence must be on the pro- 
mise, not on our feelings. He is a Sovereign, and 
acts in his own way, and that frequently very differ- 
ent from our plans and schemes; and this he does, 
that we might ever remember that our safety, our 
comfort, our every good, is at his disposal ; and that 
we must rely on him, and not on means or even past 
circumstances. But it is still a greater abuse of ex- 
perience, when we place such a dependence on for- 
mer events, so as to preclude present exertions. It 
is no reason, because God has sometimes appeared 
to work without means, that therefore we are to be 
indolent, or to lay aside the use of those means 
which he has wisely instituted for the carrying on 
his own work ; for though he is not bound to them, 
we are. Young ministers have sometimes erred in 
this respect. They have, perhaps, been called sud- 



ADYICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 255 

denly to engage in the work of preaching, before 
they have had time for much study or thought. 
They have enjoyed much liberty — perhaps more than 
on occasions when they have made the greatest pre- 
parations. They have immediately thought; surely, 
if I can preach in this way, where is the necessity 
of premeditation or study? They have ascended 
the pulpit with a degree of confidence ; they ima- 
gined all would be the same ; that they should have 
no cause to fear ; but how soon have they been dis- 
appointed ! how soon have they learnt their error ! 
God has shown them that they had been making a 
wrong use of their feelings ; that they had been 
placing confidence on their experience, rather than 
on him. Hearers, likewise, err in this respect : 
when they have felt themselves happy in a particu- 
lar place, under such a sermon, or on a particular 
occasion, they are apt to imagine that the same place, 
the same minister, the same circumstance, will pro- 
duce the same comfort. But how often do we hear 
complaints of their disappointment ! and the reason 
is evident, because they have relied more upon the 
circumstances than the divine blessing. It becomes, 
then, a great abuse of experience to substitute it in 
the place of Christ himself, or to eye our experiences 
instead of the divine glory, and the excellences of 
the Gospel. Let Christians watch, also, against being 
guided by their passions and feelings, for this often 
becomes a source of error and distress. " Such," 
says Dr. Watts, " live very much by fits and starts 



256 ADVICE RESPECTING- EXPERIENCE. 

of devotion, without that uniform and steady spring 
of faith which would render their religion more even 
and uniform, more honorable to God, and more com- 
fortable to themselves. They are always high on 
the wing, or else lying moveless on the ground. 
They are ever in the heights or the depths ; travel- 
ling on bright mountains with the songs of heaven 
on their lips, or groaning and laboring through the 
dark valleys, and never walking onward, as on an 
even plain, towards heaven." 

Another abuse of experience is, the introducing it 
at improper times. As there is a time to speak, so 
there is a time to be silent. Sometimes we are called 
to hear others; and as others have something to 
relate as well as we, it is indecorous and imprudent 
to occupy the whole time ourselves, and not to let 
others have an opportunity to declare what God has 
done for them. There are some good people, who, 
from a natural volubility, a degree of zeal, and who 
possess more courage than others, may be reprehen- 
sible as to this. You never see them in the back- 
ground. They never dwell in the shade. They 
must be foremost. Now, as this boldness does not 
arise in general from their having greater discoveries 
or a deeper experience than others, but is, perhaps, 
constitutional and natural, they ought to maintain a 
perpetual watch over themselves, lest by intrusion 
they keep back others, who, perhaps, are more solid 
in their judgment, more extensive in their know- 
ledge, more rich in experience, than themselves. 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 257 

Perhaps it would be better in general, also, to wait 
till we are called upon ; a loquacious person is often 
suspected, and certainly the more we know of our- 
selves, the less we shall be disposed to shine by 
appearances of profound experience and wisdom. 
" A person," says Dr. Edwards, "may be over-full of 
talk of his own experience, commonly falling upon 
it everywhere, and in all companies ; and when it 
is so, it is rather a dark sign than a good one. As 
a tree that i^ over-full of leaves, seldom bears much 
fruit; and as a cloud, though, to appearance, very 
pregnant and full of water, if it brings with it over- 
much wind, seldom affords much rain to the dry and 
thirsty earth ; such persons, therefore, by their for- 
wardness, will at legist expose themselves to the sus- 
picion of others; and, truly, they ought to be 
exceeding minute and particular in the examination 
of their motives, since that -which they take for zeal 
at the bottom may be nothing more- than a desire to 
exalt themselves. 

The young and inexperienced are sometimes apt 
to err on this point. Youthful vigor, lively appre- 
hension, little knowledge of the human heart, and 
warm desires, may sometimes prompt them to take 
the chair of the older and more experienced. These 
are rather to be pitied than condemned, as they will 
learn better as they advance in the Christian life : I 
would here, however, give my young readers advice 
to watch against forwardness, to pay a proper defer- 
ence to older Christians, to read and think much, 



258 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

to avoid loquaciousness, to be humble and docile, 
rather to be desirous of hearing the experience of 
others than relating their own: so shall you have 
praise and encouragement; you will rise in the 
esteem and affection of the righteous ; you will 
share in their prayers, and be benefited by their 
advice; while, at the same time, you will give 
evidence that you are making progress in divine 
things. 

Once more, it is an abuse of experience to intro- 
duce it before improper persons. It was our Lord's 
advice, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs; 
neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they 
trample them under their feet, and turn again and 
rend you." Matt. vii. 7. And the psalmist invited 
the righteous only, and not all indiscriminately, to 
hear what God had done for his soul. Ps. lxvi. 16. 
To reprove the wicked with mildness, to warn them, 
in the spirit of love, of the error of their way, to 
endeavor to inform and instruct them when we have 
opportunity, is highly proper and desirable ; but to 
talk to them of Christian experience is not appro- 
priate or judicious. As they know nothing of the 
hopes and fears, the sorrows and joys, the views and 
feelings of the. Christian, whose life may be con- 
sidered as a hidden life to them, it must either tend 
to harden their hearts, or at least lead them to form 
strange and confused ideas of our religion. The 
apostle justly says, "The natural man receiveth not 
the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolish- 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 259 

ness unto him ; neither can he know them, because 
they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. ii. 14. What 
ideas can the dead, the blind, form of surrounding 
objects? and what idea can those who are spiritually 
dead form of the acts and exercises, springs and 
principles, habits and progress, of grace and holi- 
ness ? Surely none at all. How inconsistent, there- 
fore, to be continually relating our experience before 
or to them ! They consider it only as enthusiasm, 
or the effects of a wild and disordered imagination, 
while they reproach the subjects of it as being 
deluded, and take occasion from their own igno- 
rance to harden themselves still more in their sinful 
courses. Thus I have endeavored to consider a few 
instances wherein experience may be abused. I 
proceed now to the 

Third Advice : Be cautious as to the manner in 
which you relate your experience. 

As to the propriety of relating our experience, 
we have already considered this in the eighth chap- 
ter. There is no doubt of its being useful, w^hen 
conducted in a proper manner. And, first of all, I 
would observe, that it should be done with the great- 
est humility. Pride assaults us in everything we 
do for the glory of God. And we have great need 
to watch, lest it should be manifest here. Every 
thing that savors of ostentation, love of praise, and 
high opinions of ourselves, should be avoided. Nor 
should it be to obtain a name for great experience, or 
to be marked as one who is superior to all others. 



260 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

Humility at all times is commendable, but it should 
particularly appear when we speak of ourselves. 
Let us herein follow the example of the great apostle. 
His attainments indeed were high, his usefulness 
great ; but how does he speak of himself, and what 
humility runs through all his relation! "I am 
nothing. Less than the least of all. The chief, of 
sinners. Wretched man !" 1 Cor. xiii. 3, Eph. iii. 
8, 1 Tim. i. 15, Eom. vii. 24. 

And here I beg leave to say a word respecting 
the practice of some who are in the habit of relating 
their own experience in the pulpit. They are always 
talking of what they have done; of the extraordinary 
light they have had into particular subjects, and the 
sufferings they have borne for the sake of the cross. 
Now, I must confess, I am not of the opinion of 
those who think it improper for ministers at any 
time to declare their feelings or experience in pub- 
lic ; yet I think it should be done but seldom, and 
with much caution, because it is rather preaching 
ourselves than Christ ; it may have an unfavorable 
impression on the minds of many of the hearers, and, 
as one justly observes, it has the air of a standard 
for the people, and so, apt to excite in some con- 
tempt, and in others unnecessary fears. But to re- 
turn ; the relation of our experience should be with 
prudence, and always with a design to do good.. 
Some say too much, others too little. There is no 
occasion to reveal the whole of our minds to every 
body ; nor is it prudent, perhaps, to be always tell- 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 261 

ing our secret trials even to our brethren and friends, 
since, after all, they may form a wrong judgment, 
and we may do ourselves an injury. On the other 
hand, we should not be unnecessarily reserved. . "We 
may tell our experience so far as it may be product- 
ive of good to others. To keep everything to our- 
selves is the way to increase our own sorrow, to pre- 
clude the help and sympathy of others towards us. 
The mind is relieved by the communication of its. 
exercises. Besides, a reserved Christian runs the 
hazard of incurring opprobrium, and can scarcely 
be said to be useful to others. It is best, then, to 
watch against an extreme ; neither to be too forward 
in relating our experience, lest we should say more 
than is truth, or than we intended to say ; nor to be 
too backward, lest we should lose opportunities of 
strengthening and assisting others, and also expose 
ourselves to censure, by giving others reason to think 
we do not possess that amiable spirit, that lovely 
temper, which the Gospel inculates. Some allow- 
ances, perhaps, may be made for the timid Christian ; 
but it would be advisable for such to endeavor to 
conquer a fearfulness which is often injurious to 
their happiness. Weak nerves, the consciousness of 
ignorance and imperfection in themselves : the too 
high opinion, perhaps, which they form of the expe- 
rience or the wisdom of others, cause them to dwell 
in obscurity, and make them fearful of saying any- 
thing about themselves. But they must watch 
against a timidity which may degenerate into sinful- 



262 ADVICE KESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

ness ; a humility which would drive them from their 
brethren, and render them useless in society. The 
apostle says, "It is good to be zealously affected 
always in a good thing." Gal. iv. 18. We behold 
zeal displayed in almost every worldly thing. The 
achievements of the hero, the attainments of the 
learned, the exertions of the benevolent, are reiter- 
ated from place to place with unceasing praises. But 
how much more reason has a Christian to exult and 
rejoice, to dwell on the rapturous theme of divine 
goodness, to relate the wonders of redeeming grace 
and dying love ! Think, therefore, timid and fear- 
ful believer, what cause you have to open your lips, 
and show forth his praise. If God had made you 
inanimate, if he had never conferred on you any 
favor, if you had been created a stock or a stone, 
then, like an inanimate being, you might be silent. 
But he has made you a rational and an immortal 
soul. He has heaped innumerable favors upon you ; 
he has delivered you from misery and wrath ; he- 
has given his own Son to bleed, to die for you, that 
you might live and be happy for ever. How, then, 
can you be dumb ? 

Lastly : In the relation of experience, let us all 
keep the glory of God in view ; let us do it with joy 
and gratitude. Instead of dwelling with sorrow on 
the recollection of our past trials, let us rather re- 
joice that we have been supported under them ; that 
we have been brought through them ; that they 
have all been rendered subservient to our real good. 



ADVICE RESPECTING- EXPERIENCE. 263 

How few have been our sorrows, when compared to 
our joys ! how few our pains to our pleasures ! how 
few our crosses to our blessings ! May we not all say 
with the psalmist, " Bless the Lord, my soul ! and 
all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the 
Lord, my soul ! and forget not all his benefits. 
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all 
thy diseases. Who redeemeth thy life from destruc- 
tion, who crowneth thee with loving kindness and 
tender mercies. Who satisfieth thy mouth with 
good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the 
eagle's." Ps. ciii. 1-5. Let us often, then, speak 
one to another of what Grod has done for us. Per- 
haps this will form part of our employ in the celes- 
tial world. Let us even now, therefore, begin this 
happy work : we have all mercies to enumerate, 
deliverances to remember, favors to record. Let us 
animate each other by the way, and, by a just and 
prudent relation of our experience, be the means 
of strengthening the weak hands, confirming the 
feeble knees, and exciting others to go forward 
with renewed alacrity in the path to happiness and 
to glory. 

But we shall close this chapter with 

Fourth Advice, relative to experience boohs and expe- 
rience meetings. 

As to experience books, or journals of our own 
feelings and experience, they certainly may be useful. 
Some have used them, however, without much pru- 
lence. Things of little or no consequence have been 



264 ADVICE INSPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

inserted. Common circumstances have been record- 
eel as singular events ; and events which, happen to 
all, as if they were peculiar to an individual. Pages 
have been filled with accounts of remarkable eleva- 
tions or depressions, alternate joys and sorrows, 
without ever tracing the springs or sources of either ; 
and perhaps a whole volume of things of this kind, 
without any judicious reflection, and in which, after 
all, nothing can be traced of a mind intent upon her 
own operations, or wisely attempting to trace the 
causes, or examine the effects of the feelings so re- 
corded. Here, too, we can not but observe the im- 
propriety of publishing such accounts to the world 
after the author's decease ; since they afford nothing 
new, nothing striking, nothing that will any way 
tend to enlarge or improve our minds, and which, 
perhaps, the author himself never thought of having 
made public. 

But I am no enemy to religious journals, or ex- 
perience books, provided they be kept with pro- 
priety; and not made the registers of every trifling 
event, every common circumstance. I think they 
may be greatly conducive to our encouragement and 
spiritual profit. Our memories are often slippery. 
"It is true (as Mr. Flavel says) that things that 
greatly affect us are not easily forgotten by us ; and 
yet how ordinary is it for new impressions to raze 
out former ones ! It was a saying of that worthy 
man Dr. Harris, l My memory (said he) never failed 
me in all my life ; for, indeed, I durst never trust 



ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 265 

it.' Written memorials secure us against that ha- 
zard, and, besides, make them useful to others when 
we are gone. So that you carry not away all your 
treasure to heaven with you, but leave these choice 
legacies to your surviving friends. Certainly it were 
not so great a loss to lose your silver, your good%, 
and chattels, as it is to lose your experiences which 
Grod hath this way given you in this world. Take 
heed, however (continues Mr. Flavel), of clasping up 
those rich treasures in a book, and thinking it 
enough to have noted them there ; but have frequent 
recourse to them as oft as new wants, fears, or diffi- 
culties arise and assault you." 

As to what are called experience meetings, or 
meetings held for the express purpose of relating ex- 
perience, under proper management they may be- 
come useful. Great care, however, should be taken 
not to introduce family concerns. Order should be 
punctually observed, every one speaking in his 
turn ; and if there be a president or leader, he 
may vary his questions so that the meeting may not 
degenerate into a dull, formal, unmeaning service. 

As it respects the admission of persons into church 
membership, by a relation of their experience, some 
are of opinion that it is a useful plan ; others think 
it is not necessary, and that to require it keeps back 
many who are weak, and who, though they are se- 
rious, yet can not give any circumstantial account of 
their experience. It is proper that candidates for 
admission should give evidence some way or other 
12 



266 ADVICE RESPECTING EXPERIENCE. 

of sincere repentance of sin, and of faith in the Lord 
Jesus Christ for salvation ; and it is strange to con- 
ceive how a man has felt a change of heart without 
being able to communicate his sentiments, or ex- 
press his feelings, in some degree. Yet I do not 
think that it is essential for any one to give a minute 
and particular account of all the steps and methods 
by which the Holy Spirit wrought this change. Nor 
do I t think that any relation of experience is suffi- 
cient for the admission of members. Hypocrites can 
sometimes give a better account than some weak be- 
lievers ; so that, by a more dependence on the rela- 
tion of experience, we may be deceived. On the 
whole, I think, if there be any evidence of faith and 
repentance, we should be extremely cautious what 
barriers we put in the way. There may be much 
ignorance where there is much sincerity. Some can 
not write ; others are filled with timidity when they 
come before a church, the greatest part of whom, 
perhaps, are strangers. Allowances must be made 
for men's natural dispositions, and for their infirmi- 
ties too. We must not despise the day of small 
things.. Where a full and accurate account can be 
given, it is pleasant and edifying ; but where it can 
not, as long as we are satisfied with the diameter, we 
ought not to reject, lest we do an injury to the weak, 
and refuse those whom Christ has accepted. 



WANT OF EXPERIENCE. - 267 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE EVIL OF THE "WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 

It has often been justly remarked, tliat nothing 
can supply the place of experience. This is found 
true in every department of life. "Whatever know- 
ledge we may obtain, whatever talents we possess, 
whatever fine speculations we may pursue, we are 
likely to expose ourselves to danger without expe- 
rience. How superior is that general who has been 
in the field, to him who has only studied military 
tactics in his closet! How much more skilful is the 
mariner who has had to contend with the storm, 
than he who has only studied navigation at home ! 
How much more acute, active, and watchful is that 
man who has been long accustomed to business, than 
he who has only learnt the first principles of it from 
books or mere instruction ! As we pass along the 
walks of life, what sad scenes present themselves ! 
What reputation lost! what health ruined! what 
property wasted! Do we ask, From whence all 
this ? The answer is, The want of experience. How 
frequently are tidings brought of creditors defrauded, 
of apparently flourishing plans frustrated, of pro- 



268 WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 

mising schemes all terminating in confusion ! If we 
ask, From whence all this ! the answer is, The want 
of experience. As we pass on, what numbers do 
we find actually slain, and lying dead about us ! 
Do we ask, Who slew all these? The answer is, Inex- 
perience. But it is not in worldly concerns only 
that men are exposed to danger from this, but in 
concerns of still greater importance. What folly 
may be sometimes discovered in our conduct ! What 
ignorance beclouds our views ! What false conclu- 
sions do we draw, and what contracted ideas do we 
form of many things in a religious point of view, and 
all from a want of more experience! Behold even 
the disciples of our Lord; although they attended 
his ministrations, were effectually called by his grace, 
and were enabled to renounce the world for his 
name's sake, yet what ignorance and inexperience 
did they sometimes manifest! Take the follow- 
ing instance: "Then came to him the mother of 
Zebedee's children, with her sons, worshipping him, 
and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said 
unto her, What... wilt thou? She saith unto him, 
Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on 
thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy 
kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know 
not what ye seek. Are ye able to drink of the 
cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with 
the baptism that I am baptized with? They say 
unto him, We are able." Matt. xx. 20-23. These 
sons of Zebedee were James and John, two of our 



WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 269 

Lord's favorite disciples, and yet what a sad mistake 
were they guilty of ! What ambition, what pride, 
what ignorance, what confidence ! Ah ! ye beloved 
disciples, it is you that dream of honor ! How little 
have ye experienced of the cross that is first to be 
borne ! It is you that we hear say, " We are able ?" 
As before you knew not what you asked, so surely 
now you know not what you say. What ! are you 
able to drink of the cup of sufferings without mur- 
muring? Are you able to bear reproach without 
contradiction? Are you able to endure afflictions, 
necessities, oppositions, temptations, and crosses, 
and even to be exposed to martyrdom and death, 
without fear ? How little do you know as yet of 
the sufferings of the cross ! How little yet of the 
frowns of the world, the temptations of Satan, the 
corruption of the heart ! And yet you say, We 
are able. What language ! What inexperience ! 
What rashness ! 

But we need not dwell on the faults of the disci- 
ples. How many have we around us who, like 
them, are continually saying, " We are able," and 
whose experience has led them to think they can do 
all things easily ; who have rushed into danger 
without thought, and involved themselves in misery 
by confiding in their own strength ! Alas ! turn 
which way we will, we behold multitudes who are 
suffering for want of that wisdom which can only 
be derived from experience, and who, regardless of 
the advice and experience of others, have been 



270 WANT OF EXPERIENCE, 

guided by their own self-will and precipitate spirit. 
But we will now proceed more particularly to spe- 
cify some of those evils which arise from want of 
experience in religious concerns. 

And, first, we observe that inexperience exposes 
us to the snares of the world. How soon are young 
professors led aside ! The specious arguments, the 
fair promises, the alluring prospects which are held 
out, too often deceive them. How ready are worldly 
men to insinuate that' there is no occasion to be 
so much concerned about religion ; that it will have 
a tendency to disorder their minds ; that worldly plea- 
sures and amusements, so long as we do not injure 
our neighbors, are not only lawful but necessary ! 
Thus they compel the inexperienced to go with 
them a little way, under the idea that all shall be for 
their happiness ; or, if it should not, that it is easy to 
return. But, alas ! what is the consequence ? They 
find themselves entangled and bewildered. They 
are afraid to go forward ; they are almost ashamed 
to go back. Conscience reproaches. The guilt of 
apostacy appears as a frightful spectre. The thought 
of listening to the world, rather than to God, cuts 
them to the heart. And now, what is the cause of 
all this ? Is it not want of experience ? Do we not 
hear them say, "Little did we think the world had 
such designs upon us. It was but a small step 
we first took from the right path. We thought we 
had strength enough to recover ourselves, or pre- 
vent the world from drawing its any farther. How 



WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 271 

greatly deceived ! Had we known the consequences, 
how* should we have trembled ! But, alas ! we 
were insensibly led on from one thing to another, 
till we were surrounded by the enemy, and found 
the fatal consequence of obeying man rather than 
Grod." How different is it with those who have 
experience! They, too, are attacked. The world 
waits and watches for them. It tries them in every 
point. But they are not so easily deluded. They 
know its artifices, they guard against its allurements. 
They have learnt the evil of hearkening to its pro- 
positions, and they flee the company of its votaries, 
knowing that a wound may. be received in a mo- 
ment which will take years to heal. 

The want of experience exposes us to the tempta- 
tions of Satan. This great enemy possesses much 
experience himself. The Scriptures inform us of 
his wiles, his fiery darts, his depths, his devices. Eph. 
vi. 11, 16, Eev. ii. 24, 2 Cor. ii. 11. And if he at- 
tack the strong, it is no wonder he does the weak. 
Too often, indeed, he gains the advantage over the 
young Christian. He can either be as a roaring 
lion to alarm, or as an angel of light to deceive. 
How often have the young ventured on his ground, 
unsuspicious of the snares he has set for them! 
They have even mistook so far as to imagine that it 
was a kind preparation made by Providence for 
their ease, instead of its being an artifice of Satan, 
in order to render them miserable. Alas ! how 
many thousands have had to regret their want of 



272 WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 

experience, their little knowledge of the wiles of 
Satan, and their little watchfulness against so insi- 
dious an enemy ! Divine power, however, is mani- 
fested in the preservation of those whose experi- 
ence, though small, is genuine ; and we have still 
greater reason to lament over the ravages Satan com- 
mits among them, who, notwithstanding their appa- 
rent love to the truth, and long profession of it, have 
been led captive by him. He has strongly insinu- 
ated that they might serve God and love the world 
too ; that it is not to be expected, in this state of 
things, that men should be always consistent and 
uniform ; that God is too merciful to require it ; 
that a man's temporal advantage must be sought 
and attended to before any Other object ; till, at last, 
the man is brought to believe that religion is no- 
thing, that doubts may be lawfully entertained as to 
the truth of the Bible, that an attendance on ordi- 
nances is unnecessary, and that he may either make 
a profession of religion or not, just as it suits his 
own interest. Thus the man's eyes are blinded, and 
his heart hardened ; he stifles his conviction, and 
returns to the world, where he is continually seen a 
miserable vassal in Satan's dominion, and every mo- 
ment exposed to eternal misery. And all this is the 
consequence of his having no real experience of 
divine things. He came from the world to the 
church with a bad motive, and now he returns from 
the church to the world under the influence of the 
same principle. 



WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 273 

Again : Inexperience exposes us to error. How 
many characters do the Scriptures present us with, 
who erred from the truth, and all for want of a real 
experience of the energy of divine grace ! Things 
novel and plausible strike the mind, and they who 
have but little acquaintance with divine subjects are 
easily deceived. Error too often bears a great re- 
semblance to truth; and not only so, but, as it is 
too often allied with some corruption in the heart, 
is more likely to meet with a welcome reception. 
I do not mean to say that we should not use our 
reasoning powers in the pursuit of truth, or that we 
should be guided more by our feelings than by our 
understanding. This would be dangerous indeed. 
But, after all, what are our finest speculations, our 
metaphysical inquiries, our nicest perceptions, our 
deepest and most profound reasonings, without 
divine teaching? It is this alone that gives the 
mind a right bias, which enables it both to discern 
and to relish truth. Without this we shall be con- 
tinually wavering. Now this will strike ; then that 
One thing will appear plausible for a while, then 
another. Thus we shall be tossed to and fro, and 
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the 
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they 
lie in wait to deceive. Eph. iv. 14. Now, a real 
experience, arising from the knowledge and love of 
God, will secure us from this evil. The heart will 
be established with grace ; and though those who 
have but just set out may have been betrayed into 
12* 



274 WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 

error for want of more knowledge and experience, 
yet, as the Word of God is the standard to which 
they bring every sentiment and doctrine, their light 
shall increase, and their minds become more settled ; 
for "he that doeth his will, he shall know of the 
doctrine whether it be of Grod." John vii. 17. To 
such, also, the Divine Spirit is promised, to guide 
into all truth. John xvi. 13. 

Further: A want of experience exposes us to 
pride and ambition. Had the two disciples before 
mentioned been more experienced, they would not 
have been so desirous of such elevated situations. 
He who knows but little of his own heart, and has 
seen but little of the world, covets great things for 
himself, seeks to move in a higher circle, desires to 
be more known; but he is ignorant that the more 
lofty the situation, the more dangerous his state. 
Corruptions which now lie dormant in his heart may 
then be drawn out ; and snares which now he knows 
nothing of will then beset him. Pride, also, is 
often an attendant on superficial talents, little expe- 
rience, and ignorance of ourselves. How do we feel 
for such when we hear their insignificant conversa- 
tion, their vain boasting, their conceited talk of self- 
formed projects of mighty achievements, and supe- 
rior wisdom ! How does an experienced Christian 
feel when he stands by and hears the talk of those 
who have hardly ever heard the wind, or felt the 
storm ! What mingled emotions of pity and fear, of 
sorrow and concern, fill his breast! How ready is 



WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 275 

he to say, "Did you but know how ignorant the 
wisest think themselves, how little is known when 
compared with what is to be known, how little 
dependence there is to be placed on human nature, 
how contracted and feeble a creature man is at his 
best estate, how incapable he is either to guide or 
protect himself, how vulnerable on every side by a 
thousand darts poisoned by the enemy, how liable 
to perpetual vicissitudes, and how generally dis- 
appointed in the objects which he has most set his 
heart upon to obtain, — ah ! did you but know, did 
you but consider, how would it check your vanity, 
and cool your ambition I" Yes, truly, how much 
more humble is the man of experience, the man 
who knows his heart, who has felt the strokes of 
adversity, who has too often been deceived by his 
enemies, disappointed in his expectations from the 
creature, and suffered from his own weakness and 
infirmity ! See how quietly he walks, how cautious 
in every step, how.unaspiring in his views, how sus- 
picious of himself, how unassuming in his conversa- 
tion ; while the young, the rash, the inexperienced, 
on the contrary, are noisy and vain, turbulent and 
forward, self-confident, and big with expectation of 
good, which, after all, the world denies them, leaving 
them to murmur and fret over their own misery 
and folly. 

Another evil, attendant on inexperience, is, a 
spirit of bigotry. Such are apt to be contracted $nd 
narrow-minded. The religion of -Christ, so- far as it 



276 WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 

is understood, has a tendency to enlarge the mind, 
and make us candid towards others ; and those who 
have felt most of its power will be most disposed to 
be charitable and liberal. Who, then, is it that 
deals in anathemas; who is ready to condemn all 
who do not exactly agree with him ; who restricts 
salvation to his own party ; who claims the preroga- 
tive of thinking for himself, but will not allow it 
to others, who, because they can not see with his 
eyes, or believe with his understanding, are there- 
fore, in his opinion, strangers to truth? Is it the 
man of experience ? Is it he who knows anything 
of the nature of man, and the prejudices which arise 
from various sources ? Certainly not. Experience 
teaches us to be candid. The more we are acquaint- 
ed with ourselves, the more we shall be willing to 
bear with others. The more the love of God is 
shed abroad in our own souls, the more love we 
shall feel for our fellow creatures. The narrow 
bigot in a corner may look with an evil eye on all 
who differ from him ; but the experienced Christian 
is not an unfeeling, reserved, morose character. The 
more he knows, and the longer he lives, the more 
is he convinced of the impropriety of such a spirit. 

It is, however, an evil into which young Christ- 
ians sometimes fall. Yea, even the disciples of 
our Lord were guilty for want of more knowledge 
and experience. " John answered and said, Master, 
we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we 
forbade him." And why? " Because he followeth 



WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 277 

not with us." Luke ix. 49, 50. What a weak 
reason ! what a poor pretense for discouraging him ! 
And yet, alas! this is the only reason many can 
give for wishing to restrain others from active exer- 
tions in the cause of religion and humanity, They 
follow not with them. They have not received their 
education where they have. They belong not to 
their community. They do not adopt exactly the 
same mode of worship as they do. Therefore they 
must be forbidden ! 0, wretched spirit of bigotry ! 
how evidential of ignorance and inexperience ! What 
said the Saviour to these disciples? " Forbid him 
not ; for he that is not against us is for us." Happy 
would it be if this answer of our Lord were but more 
considered. What evils would be prevented in our 
churches ! How much more good might be done ! 
How would love and harmony prevail, the designs 
of Satan be frustrated, and the cause of God and 
truth greatly promoted ! 

Further : A want of experience of the power of 
divine things has been the cause not only of bigotry, 
but, what is closely allied with it, persecution. We 
should never have heard of the tortures, the pains, 
the dreadful sufferings of so many thousands on the 
account of religion, if men had been influenced by 
a right spirit, and experienced the grace of God in 
truth. It is no part of the religion of Christ to 
persecute others who differ from us. Yet where 
mere speculation, and a false zeal, have been placed 
as a substitute for real experience, we see what has 



278 WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 

been the consequence. Here, again, we find the very 
disciples of our Lord acting inconsistently. "It 
cafrie to pass, when the time was come that he should 
be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to 
Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face. 
And they went, and entered into a village of the 
Samaritans to make ready for him. And they did 
not receive him, because his face was as though he 
would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples 
Jaines and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou 
that we command fire to come down from heaven, 
and consume them, as Elias did? But he turned 
and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what 
manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of Man is 
not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." 
Luke ix. 51, 56. How little did they know of the 
genius, and how little had they experienced of the 
power of Christianity ! How much of pride and 
resentment, of persecution and cruelty, were mixed 
with their zeal ! " James and John," as one observes, 
" were the two disciples whom Christ had called 
Boanerges, sons of thunder (Mark iii. 17) ; but that 
will not serve them — they must be sons of lightning 
too." They did not ask leave that they might go 
and preach, warn, and suitably reprove them. Nay, 
it was not enough that they might even threaten 
and alarm them. Nothing short of final extirpation, 
of entire destruction, was the subject of their .peti- 
tion ! And what ! were these the disciples of Him 
who was all love and kindness ; who came to save 



WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 279 

and not to destroy ? Alas ! what havoc would the 
rash and inexperienced make, if left to themselves ! 
Mistaking the design of the Gospel, they would be 
for carrying everything by violence and persecution. 
According to their spirit, we should see nothing 
around us but monuments of divine vengeance, 
towns and kingdoms destroyed, families and indivi- 
duals struck with death, and the universal conflagra- 
tion taking place before its appointed time. Indeed, 
what but the rash zeal, the want of experience of 
divine love, the superstition and ignorance of men, 
have deluged the Christian world with blood, thrown 
down the altars of others to erect their own, anathe- 
matized whole communities, and given the enemy 
reason to triumph and rejoice ? O, how necessary to 
feel the force of Christian sentiments on our hearts ! 
then should we never attempt to injure and destroy 
one another. 

There is an evil which is often prevalent among 
the inexperienced, which, though not so great as the 
last mentioned, yet deserves to be reprehended ; and 
that is slander and detraction. It is no uncommon 
thing to see persons who have but little knowledge 
of themselves, and whose experience is but small, 
indulging themselves in this practice. Ignorant in 
a great measure of the depravity of their own hearts, 
a slight acquaintance with the wiles and snares of 
Satan, a too great confidence in an opinion of them- 
selves, they are ready to spy out the faults of others. 
I have generally found that the most superficial in 



280 WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 

true knowledge and genuine experience have been 
the most forward in this practice ; whether it arises 
from a conviction of their own deficiency, and a 
wish to believe that all others are like them, or 
whether from a want of self-knowledge, and a habit 
of observing the infirmities of others rather than 
their own, can not, perhaps, be always determined. 
This, however, is evident ; that in proportion as we 
have more experience, see more of our own imper- 
fection, know more of the nature of the human 
heart, and possess more of the Christian spirit, the 
less shall we be disposed to slander and speak evil 
of others ; for grace will teach us modesty, humility, 
self-diffidence, candor, and forbearance. Let the 
slanderer, therefore, remember that he gives but 
little evidence of his heart being right with God, 
while his tongue is employed in blasting the reputa- 
tion or magnifying the infirmities of others. 

Lastly : Want of experience often induces men to 
undertake situations they are not qualified for, and 
thus exposes them to ruin. How does a truly wise 
and experienced man shrink back from situations of 
importance, while the inexperienced rush by with 
rapidity and confidence ! All is easily done in their 
imagination. They stop not to consider difficulties ; 
and even if others have failed, they think they shall 
not. And thus they never know their error till it is 
too late. They rise with confidence, but they come 
down with shame. They leave the more experienced 
far behind ; but they meet them with confusion on 



WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 281 

their return ; while many point to them and say, 
11 This man began to build, but was not able to 
finish." Luke xiv. 30. Ah! how many have been 
wounded by this, and, for want of knowledge founded 
on experience at first, have so disgraced themselves 
as to be glad to retire again into the obscure vale, 
and to pass along unheard, unnoticed by their fellow 
travellers ! Yea, what is worse, how many, by 
endeavoring to climb too high, have fallen down, 
and been dashed to pieces ! Alas ! on how many 
tombs may be read the inscription, "Here lie the 
remains of one who was killed for want of expe- 
rience!" 

We have now considered a few of those evils 
attendant on inexperience, and that not only as it 
relates to those who know nothing of religion at 
all, but as it respects the young Christian, and those 
who rest only in bare speculation or profession. 
We will now conclude this work by just making 
two or three remarks from the whole. 

Let us all learn to examine ourselves, whether 
we be in the faith. Have we passed from darkness 
to light ? Have we ever experienced the depravity 
of our hearts, and the bitterness of sin? Have we 
ever been led to see the vanity and insufficiency of 
the world to make us happy? Have we been ena- 
bled to take up our cross, and to follow the Saviour 
through evil as well as good report? Have we 
tasted that the Lord is gracious, renounced the 
world for his sake ; and can we now say, that he is 



282 WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 

our portion, and that we count all things but loss 
for the excellency of the knowledge of him ? These 
are solemn, interesting questions. Eeader, put them 
to thy heart, and ask what is thy real state before 
Gocl. 

Let us learn to be wise from the inexperience of 
others. While we look around, and see the fatal 
effects of ignorance and rashneSvS, carelessness and 
want of experience, let it suggest to us caution and 
prudence, vigilance and dependence on God. As we 
behold the broken plans, the half-finished schemes, 
the painful disgrace, of those who have trusted to 
themselves, let us be suspicious of our own hearts. 
As we pass by the spots memorable only for the 
sad scenes of inexperience, let us look up to heaven 
and say, " Lord, keep me as the apple of thine 
eye ; hide me under the shadow of thy wings. 
How soon may I be numbered among the miserable 
and wretched, if not kept by thee ! Preserve me 
from all the snares of the world, and the tempta- 
tions of the enemy. Keep me from rashness and 
folly. Give me that wisdom which is profitable to 
direct. Let me experience more of thy grace, 
which alone can hold me up, and render me safe." 

Let us deplore the sad case of those who are still 
enveloped in darkness, who never had any expe- 
rience of the power of divine grace. They are 
perpetually exposed to danger. Having no taste 
for heavenly things, they are continually sinning 
against God. Yea, sin is their delight, and holi- 



WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 283 

ness the object of their hatred. Miserable man ! 
how deplorable thy case! A rational, immortal 
creature, born for eternity, yet without love to 
God, without any thought for the everlasting salva- 
tion of thy soul ! Stand still, and consider for a mo- 
ment thy wretched situation. Eemember, without 
experience of grace in time, there can be no happi- 
ness in eternity. Hear the voice of Scripture : 
"Except a man be born again, he can not see the 
kingdom of God. Without holiness no man can 
see the Lord. He that believe th not, the wrath of 
God abideth on him." Jo. iii. 3, Heb. xii. 14, 
Jo. iii. 36. Cry, therefore, to God for mercy ; 
consider how short time is. A few more moments, 
and thou wilt be in eternity ! Behold, now is the 
•accepted time, now is the day of salvation ! May 
God enlighten thine eyes before it be too late ! may 
the Holy Spirit teach thee the way of truth and 
salvation, and thus shalt thou be happy for ever ! 

Let us lament, also, that there are so many who 
are only nominal Christians, who have a name to 
live, but are dead ; and still more distressing to 
reflect on the case of many who are called Christian 
ministers, and yet never feel what they preach : 
who have never experienced anything of the 
power of divine grace, but who are still worldly- 
minded, vain, covetous, and disobedient. How dull 
and inanimate their preaching ! How awful their 
state ! How useless their lives ! Yea, how fatal 
their example ! Let such remember that no specu- 



284 WANT OF EXPERIENCE. 

lative knowledge, no respectability of talent, can be 
a substitute for experience. Without this, how can 
they enter into the spirit of their subject? How 
address their hearers under their various feelings 
and circumstances ? How speak to him who knows 
the plague of his own heart — to the tried, the 
tempted, the afflicted soul? Brilliancy of genius, 
stores of literature, powers of eloquence, may show 
the man, but can not make the useful minister of 
Jesus. How necessary, then, to feel, to experience, 
in order to do good to immortal souls ! Let us pity 
and pray for those who are still ignorant, that the 
Lord may open their eyes, and lead them into the 
way of truth ; that, instead of a curse, they may 
become a blessing to mankind. 

Finally : Eeader, if you have felt the power of 
renovating grace, how thankful ought you to be ! 
You may surely go on your way rejoicing. You 
shall still experience more of his love. The riches 
of his grace shall be still more unfolded ; and you 
shall arrive at last a the mansions of glory, where 
you shall be employed in ascribing all the praise of 
your salvation to Him that sitteth upon the throne, 
and to the Lamb, for ever and ever. 



INDEX 



Abuse of experience, 253. 
Activity, 47~ 91, 247. 

worldly, 120. 

Advice respecting experience, 236. 
Address to the inactive, 250. 
Admission of members, 265. 
Affections, 2, 3, 29. 

false, 251. 

Afflictions, 93, 95. 

benefit of, 39, 138, 139. 

Aged Christian's experience, 194. 



encouragement to, 208. 



Angels, 227. 

Anticipation of heaven, 118, 136, 

148, 209. 
Apostasy. See Backsliding. 
Assurance, 125, 126. 



improper, 238. 



Atonement, 16, 17. 



B 



Backsliding, 106, 108, 193, 270. 

wilful, 104, 272. 

Benevolence, 47. 
Bereavement, 137, 138. 
Bible. See Scriptures. 
Bibliomancy, 240. 
Bigotry, 42, 245, 275. 



Boasting, 133, 253. 
Brewer, Rev. Mr., dying saying 
of, 224. 



C 

Candor, 40. 

Cares, 80, 81, 88. 

Carelessness, 77. 

Carnal prudence, 61, 66, 67. 

Caution, 34. 

Changes of life, 35, 226. 

Character of Christian, 9. 

Cheerfulness, 81. 

Christian as apparent, 83 — as a 

master, 84. 
Church membership, admittance 

to, 265. 
Circumspection, 232. 
Cold-hearted, who, 46. 
Complaints of the soul, 108. 
Communion with God, 20, 135. 
Confidence in God, 34, 79, 125. 
Conversation, J 7 7. 
Conflict, Christian's, 12, 158. 
Concern for the soul, 55, 248. 
Conviction, 57, 58, 159. 
Conversion, 156, 158, 177. 
Conscience, 65. 
Corruption. See Heart. 
Covetousness, 80, 168, 196. 
Creature comforts, 13. 
Curiosity unsanctified, 73. 



286 



INDEX. 



D 



Deliverance from trouble, 185. 

Deadness of soul, 108. 

Death, 199— to the world, 14. 

Death of righteous, 214-230. 

Death of wicked, 212, 213, 235. 

fear of, 112, 231. ^ 

Deliberation, 42, 203. 

Desertion, 109, 110, 163. 

Despair, 111. 

Depravity. See Heart. 

Dependence on G-od, 124, 173, 249. 

on past experience impro- 
per, 253. 

Diligence, 141. 

Distress of the Christian, 65, 93- 
11*7, 158. 

Distressed Christians, their case 
not singular, 95. 

Dodd, I, his faith, 125. 

Doddridge, Dr., dying saying ofJ 
223. 

Docility, 72. 

Doubts, 110. 

Dreams, 238. 

Duty, m. 

E 

Earthly mindedness, 81. 

Early piety, 53-14. 

Egotism, 253. 

Emissaries of Satan, 102. 

Encouragement to the weak and 
distressed, 109, 169. • 

Enthusiasm, 23*7. 

Enemies conquered, 184. 

Epita.ph of the useless, 91. 

of the inexperienced, 282. 

Equanimity, 82. 

Error, 10, 2 1 3. 

Eternity of happiness, 148, 229. 

Evening meditation of the Christ- 
ian, 144. 

Evans, Dr., dying saying of, 223. 

Evil of inexperience, 267. 

Example, 209. 



Experience, definition ofJ 10. 

nature of, 7. 

advantages of, 30. 

young Christian's, 53. 

middle aged, 75. 

distressing, 92, 239. 

remembrance of, 153. 

happy, 118. 

relation of, 51, 175, 260. 

in the pulpit, 260. 

aged Christian's, 194. 

dying, 212. 

advice respecting, 236. 

— evil of want of, 267. 

despised, 8 — improper intro- 



duction of; 256. 

— counterfeit, 236. 

— deep, 243 — singular, 

— abuse of, 252. 

— respect due to it, 50 

— book, 263. 

— meetings, 265. 



131. 
84. 



E 



Faith, strong, 124. 

Faithfulness of God, 52. 

Family devotion, 26. 

Fathers in Christ, 71. 

Fears, 111. 

Feelings not to be depended on, 

253. 
Flattery of the world dangerous, 

66. 
Flavel, Mr., his great joy in G-od, 

132. 
Fortitude, 82. 
Forbearance of God, 40. 
Christian, 244. 



Forwardness, 256, 269. 



Frames, 21. 



G 



Gill, Dr., dying saying of, 224. 
Glory of God, 262. 



INDEX. 



287 



Goodness of God, 166, 167, 181. 

Gospel, 16. 

Grace, free, 16, 177. 

progressive, 121. 

communicative, 46. 

Gratitude, 25, 76, 85, 142, 171. 

Gravity, 203. 

Guilt, sense of, 55-58. 



Halyburton, Mr., dying saying of, 

222. 
Happiness, 19, 160. 
Heart, 11, 96. 
Hearers, error of, 255. 
Heaven, 228. 

waiting for, 206, 228. 

Henry, Mr., dying saying of, 223. 

Hervey, Mr., dying saying of, 224. 

Holy Spirit, 21, 56, 214,. 

Holiness, 145. 

Hope, 43. 

House of God, 24. 

Howe, J., his inexpressible joy, 

131, 132. 
Human life, 12, 31. 
Humility, 36, 12, 133, 242. 
Hypocrites, 68, 266. 



ignorance, 154. 
Imagination, 111, 239. 
Imperfections of young Christians, 

61. 
Impressions, natural, 238. 
Imprudence of young Christians, 

63, 257, 274.. 
Impulses, 240. 

Inactive, address to, 248, 249. 
Inexperience, evil of, 267. 
Infidels, 225. 
Infirmities, 266. 



Influence, supernatural, 240. 
Insinuations of Satan, 99. 
Instruments of conversion, 158. 



Jesus Christ, experience of, 31. 
Joys, high, not common, 118, 132. 
Justification by grace, 147. 



Knowledge, spiritual, 9, 197. 

increasing, 121. 

speculative, 8, 29. 



Lamentation of the Christian, 97, 

105-107. 
Law of God, spirituality of, 15. 
Legal hope, 62. 
Letters to friends, 161. 
Liberality of soul, 43. 
Liveliness in religion, 159. 
Lord's supper, 27. 
Love to God, 126. 
Lukewarmness, 163, 168. 



M 

Man a social being, 175. 
Means, 21. 

neglected, 246. 



Meditation, 136. 
morning, 143. 



of the middle aged, 86. 



Meekness, 133, 134. 

Memory, anecdote of Dr. Harris 
respecting, 264. 

Ministers, advantage of experi- 
ence to, 49. 



288 



INDEX. 



Ministers, young, error of, 254, 
255. 

inexperienced, 49, 283. 

the relation of their experi- 
ence in the pulpit, 260. 

Misrepresentation, 47, 102, 128. 

Misapplication of things, 111. 

Moderation, 38. 



N 



Non-essentials, 43. 
Novelty, 73. 
Novice, 37. 



Obedience, 249. 

Old age, infirmities of, 195, 196. 

-^— to be reverenced, 209. 

awful when wicked, 194. 

Opinions, variety of, 70. 
Opposition from former compan- 
ions, 66. 
Ordinances, 24, 160, 246. 



Parents, ungodly, 66. 

Patience, 39, 233. 

Persecution, 43, 59, 102, 103, 277. 

Perseverance, 145, 146. 

Pharisee, 15. 

Power of God, 115, 184. 

Prayer, 16, 21, 22, 36, 59, 90. 

Praise, 25. 

Presence of God, 183, 184. 

Prejudice, 41. 

Presumption, 14. 

Pride, 63, 257, 274. 

Procrastination, 210. 

Professors, warning to, 88. 

formal and inconsistent, 67. 

Promises made to the young and 
weak, 73. 



Prosperity, soul of, 118, el seq. y 

150. 

means for, 151. 

worldly, 38, 119, 120, 144, 

145. 
Prophets, false, 238. 
Providence, 18, 165, 166, 205. 
Prudence, 32. 
Public worship, 24. 



R 



Rashness, 62, 280. 
Regeneration necessary, 29. 
instantaneous, 54. 



Religion, 7, 187. 

progressive, 54. 

operative, 187, 188. 



Relief from guilt, 16. 

Relation of experience, 55, 175, 

259. 
Remembrance of experience, 77, 

87, 142, 153, 206. 
Repentance, 56. 
Reputation, 145. 
Reserve, 189, 261. 
Respect to aged Christians, 210. 
Retirement, 26. 
Resignation, 39, 137, 162. 
Retrospect of life, 76, 77, 201, 202. 
Righteousness of Christ, 16, 17. 
Rivet, his faith, 126. 
Ryland, Mr., dying saying of 224 



S 

Sabbath, 22. 

Sacramental meditation, 27. 
Sanctirication, 180. 

from the womb, 157. 



Satan, 32, 61, 70, 99, 237, 271, 
Scriptures, 17, 18, 35, 58, 123. 
Self-abasement, 201. 
Self-examination, 281. 
Self-diffidence, 32. 



INDEX. 



289 



Self-reproof, 168. 
Self-righteousness, 62. 
Sin, 14. 

source of grief, 151, 152, 225, 

226. 
Singing, 25. 
Slander, 245, 2*79. 
Social principle, 175. 
Sorrow, 94, 97. 
Stability, 76. 



T 



Talkativenesss, 64, 253. 

Temptation, 69, 101, 211. 

Theory, 8. 

Thoughtfulness, 78. 

Timidity, 261. 

Toplady, Mr., dying saying ofJ 224. 

Transports of joy, 118, 130-132. 

Trials, 96, 138. 

Trust in God, 87. 



U 



Unbelief 113. 
Un watchfulness, evil of, 33. 
Unworthiness, sense of, 96, 135. 
Usefulness, 45, 48, 82, 83, 91, 161. 



Vicissitudes. See Changes. 



W 

"Wants, natural, Christians, same 

as others, 12. 
Watchfulness, 33, 89, 233. 
Watts, Dr., dying saying of, 223. 
Weakness of man, 41, 106. 
Wicked, address to, 235, 283. 
death of, 212, 213, 234. 



Wisdom, 32, 75, 197. 

of God, 165. 

Works of God, gradual in creation, 

providence, and grace, 54. 
World, 12, 270. 

leaving, 201. 

Worldly spirit, 89. 



Young Christian, experience ofj 53. 

ignorance of, 61. 

imprudence of, 65, et seq. 

exposed to danger, 61, 66, 67. 

exposed by parents, etc., 66. 

to be borne with and pro- 
tected, 65, 71. 

to revere the aged, £09 

advice to, 50. 

encouragement to, 74, 151. 



Zeal, intemperate, 32, 64. 

ardent, 60, 140, 159-161, 

262. 



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